Inter Admit Chelsea Close to Record Brazilian Offer

Internacional chief Giovanni Luigi has revealed Chelsea's offer for Brazilian Oscar could be the biggest ever in the country's history.

Champions League winners Chelsea lead the race for the 20 year old according to the club chief, who wants to see the deal become the biggest in Brazilian history.

Chelsea have already signed Marko Marin and Eden Hazard this summer, and owner Roman Abramovich must make Oscar the most expensive Brazilian in world football should the club wish to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

"I want the transfer of Oscar to be the biggest transfer deal ever in Brazilian football," Luigi told Radio Gaucha.

"And the Chelsea offer isn't that far from that."

"Last year Tottenham made two offers for Leandro Damiao. We kept him and he was very important," he added.

"He is Internacional's top scorer in Libertadores and Brazil's national team number 9.

"Oscar's situation is similar. I'm part of an administration that has always been competent to replace those players that leave.

"If regarding Oscar we get offers that match our expectations, we'll negotiate.

"But they have to be of the value that mean significant resources for Internacional. But those values would be the biggest negotiation in Internacional's history."

With Brazilian players having often found it difficult to adapt to the fast-paced style of English football, the presence of international teammates Ramires and David Luiz, the latter of which will accompany Oscar in the country's Olympic squad, will help make the transition from the Campeonato Brasileiro to the Premier League seamless.

Both played an important role in Chelsea's run to the European Cup final, with Ramires netting in the Nou Camp against Barcelona, before Luiz recovered from injury to star in defence against Bayern Munich and score in the resulting penalty shoot-out.

The Blues' substantial additions point towards another successful campaign under Roberto Di Matteo, who after guiding the club to European and domestic cup success will be charged with bridging the gap to Manchester City and Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.