Chelsea cash too much for Real Madrid, Barcelona in Samuel race

Chelsea are set to beat Barcelona and Real Madrid for AS Roma defender Walter Samuel.

The Argentina World Cup captain is regarded as one of the best stoppers on the continent and could be sold in the summer with Roma currently a massive £220 million in debt.

Samuel carries a price-tag in the region of £15 million and has declared an interest in playing for Barcelona. But the Catalans will not be capable of competing with Chelsea's spending power if he is made available.