BENFICA claim they are powerless to stop Ramires' £20million switch to Chelsea.
The Portuguese club own just 20 per cent of the Brazilian World Cup star after selling third-party ownership to several investors, including controversial agent Kia Joorabchian.And though Benfica want to keep Ramires for another season, Joorabchian and his partners are pressing for the move to Chelsea.
Club president Luis Felipe Vieira admitted last night: "Ramires staying at Benfica does not depend solely on us. There is a partnership and we must respect it.
"If there is a good proposal we will do everything we can to make it work for us. We are prepared for all eventualities and have options to fill all the positions."
Ramires, 23, was left out of Benfica's friendly against Aston Villa on Sunday as negotiations continued.
Now Chelsea are confident of signing the tough-tackling star ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash with Manchester United.
Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has earmarked Ramires to take over the central midfield role vacated by Michael Ballack and Joe Cole.
He will be Ancelotti's first major buy since taking charge last year and will represent Chelsea's most expensive deal since they spent £24.4m on Michael Essien in 2005.
The arrival of Ramires, nicknamed 'The Blue Kenyan' for his running ability, will mean at least one of Chelsea's foreign legion - most likely Fluminense target Deco - will have to go to comply with new Premier League rules.
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