Blues close in on Alex

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The Brazilian arrived at Heathrow Airport on Sunday to discuss personal terms and was cleared to enter the country. However, after a small delay, he opted to return home voluntarily - scotching suggestions that he had been barred from the UK.

A statement issued by Chelsea said: "Alex was due to arrive into England on Sunday to discuss personal terms. Chelsea Football Club are in the process of applying for a work permit for the player in line with normal football and employment procedure."

The statement continued: "At airport immigration there was a request to clarify Alex's current status. All of the paperwork for his entry was in order.

"After an initial delay, he was cleared to enter the country. He chose voluntarily to fly back but will return when necessary."

However, a Home Office spokesman, while not prepared to discuss individual cases, said: "We have a duty to ensure that the public are aware of, and have confidence in, the security in place at the border, which is for their protection.

"Visitors to the UK also need to be aware of the presence of immigration officers and that they will be subject to checks before being granted entry to this country."

Alex is now likely to undergo a hearing in the near future to assess whether or not he meets the criteria for a work permit.

Guidelines require that a player must 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.

Alex is understood 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.