Exclusive: Chelsea win the Oscar... Roman beats AVB to grab £25m Brazil playmaker
By Simon Jones
PUBLISHED: 21:45 GMT, 9 July 2012 | UPDATED: 22:30 GMT, 9 July 2012
Chelsea have pulled off another transfer coup by clinching the signature of £25million Brazilian wonderkid Oscar.
Despite already splashing out £42m on Marko Marin and Eden Hazard, Roman Abramovich's latest revolution shows no signs of abating after he moved in for the Internacional playmaker who is regarded as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from Brazil in years.
To add further flavour to the European champions' deal, they have pipped their former manager Andre Villas-Boas in the process.
Tottenham's new boss thought he was in a strong position to land 20-year-old Oscar after making an offer last week.
It was reported the bid was £11m, but sources in South America say it was much higher than that and a club-record offer of nearer £18m.
Chelsea, however, have moved quickly to swamp Tottenham's offer and beat their former charge to his signature.
Oscar shot to prominence last summer when he became the first player to score a hat-trick in the FIFA Under 20 World Cup final against Portugal.
The Brazilian - full name Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Junior - was also watched by Real Madrid and Barcelona.
He is adept as a playmaker or in the role behind the striker and equally comfortable on the left or right of midfield. He is described as a 'typically brilliant Brazilian No 10'.
The acquisition will put pressure on the position of Stamford Bridge idol Juan Mata, who is expected to be rested at the start of the season due to his participation in the Olympics for Spain.
Chelsea fans will be able to get an early sight of the new signing as he is also a member of his country's Olympic squad.
Chelsea came in for criticism for the way they won the Champions League with an obdurate defensive style.
However, the signing of Oscar is another bold statement of intent from Abramovich as he strives to make Chelsea a more fluid, attacking team in the mould of Barcelona.
The signing boosts the Brazilian contingent at Stamford Bridge, where Oscar will be joining Ramires in midfield, David Luiz and exciting young prospect Lucas Piazon.
Abramovich believes if manager Roberto Di Matteo can channel that flair alongside the defensive grit the squad showed to win the Champions League, then Chelsea will be well placed to mount more serious challenges on domestic and European honours.
And his spending hasn't finished yet, with Chelsea also linked to another Brazilian star, 25-year-old striker Hulk of Porto.
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