Soccer: Blues apply for Alex work permit

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Alex is eyeing a future at Chelsea


Chelsea have moved closer to completing a deal for Brazil defender Alex by applying for a work permit.
The 25-year-old arrived at Heathrow on Sunday to discuss personal terms and was cleared to enter the country before returning home.

A Chelsea statement said: "We are in the process of applying for a permit. At immigration there was a request to clarify Alex's current status.

"All of the paperwork was in order and was cleared to enter the country."

It added: "He chose voluntarily to fly back but will return when necessary."

Rules require a player to have played for his country in at least 75% of their competitive 'A' games in which he was available for selection, during the two years preceding the date of the application for the permit.

Alex is believed to have only played in eight of the 14 Brazilian games he was available for in the last two years and was not selected for the others.

The Brazilian was signed by the Blues in 2004 but has since been on loan at Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven as he was deemed ineligible for a work permit.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is confident the club can tie up a deal for Brazilian centre-back Alex.

The 25-year-old was signed by the Blues in 2004 but has since been on loan at Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven as he was deemed ineligible for a work permit.

Alex has won three Eredivisie titles during his time at PSV and is presently on international duty with Brazil at the Copa America.

credit: bbc sport