Reports today are suggesting that Chelsea have secured the signature of top Portuguese centre-back Bruno Alves from European heavyweights Porto.

The 27-year-old has long been linked with a move away from the Estadio Da Dragao, with Chelsea being favourites to sign the international, as we told you here on ExtraFootie.

Today, Channel 4 Italia website is claiming that the West London club have rubber stamped a £24million deal to bring the robust defender to Stamford Bridge.

The arrival of the man with 20 international international caps to his name will finally pave the way for Ricardo Carvalho to link up with ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan. Alves's departure this summer has not been in doubt, but his destination had been, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both hunting the player. It appears Chelsea have won the race to capture his signature.

Alves's father said of the move, "The moment of the great leap has arrived."

The experience of the Portuguese defender, who has been at Porto since 1999, is thought to have appealed to Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti, who also has England U21 starlet Michael Mancienne on hand to cover for the deaprting Carvalho.