Chelsea delighted to trump Real Madrid for Carvalho

Chelsea officials are secretly delighted to have got one up on Real Madrid by signing Porto defender Ricardo Carvalho yesterday.

Real Madrid, desperate to bolster their defence after a trophyless season, offered £7m plus striker Fernando Morientes in their bid for Carvalho.

But Chelsea proved that with Roman Abramovich's billions even the world's most famous club can be blown out of the water in a transfer battle.

The Blues will pay £19.85 million for Carvalho, with a club spokesman confirming: "Chelsea are delighted to announce we have agreed terms with FC Porto for the transfer of central defender Ricardo Carvalho."

"The player is in London, has passed a medical, and is discussing personal terms."