Alex granted work permit

Alex is a step closer to completing his move to Chelsea after the Home Office granted the Brazilian defender a work permit.

The 25-year-old arrived at Heathrow Airport on Sunday but went back to Brazil after finding out that he had not yet received a valid licence.

But now it seems likely that he will finally become a Chelsea player and provide competition for the likes of John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Tal Ben Haim in the centre of defence.

A statement on the Chelsea website read: "At a hearing today, Alex was granted a work permit.

"He still has to agree personal terms with Chelsea football club and have a medical."

Alex was originally signed by the Blues back in 2004 but was loaned out to PSV Eindhoven because of work permit issues.

In his time with the Dutch club, Alex won three league titles and scored the goal that knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League last season.

He also has 14 caps for Brazil and played a starring role in his country's Copa America triumph last month.