Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is on the brink of beating Andre Villas-Boas' Tottenham to the signing of Internacional midfielder Oscar. The Sunday Express says new Spurs boss AVB, sacked by the Russian after just eight months in charge at Chelsea, had hoped to get his own back by signing Brazilian starlet, Oscar, from under his old boss's nose.

But Abramovich last night signalled that he is ready to dismiss AVB again and fork out £25million for the latest superstar to emerge from Brazil, although any deal may have to wait until after the midfielder has played in the Olympics.