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Chelsea moving closer to Ramires & Neymar deals

Ramires played for Brazil at the World Cup © Getty Images

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Chelsea are still on track to sign Neymar from Santos and Ramires from Benfica, though Blues owner Roman Abramovich is refusing to pay an inflated price for the Brazilian pair.

Both Santos and Benfica have been attempting to drive up the price of their in-demand Brazilians, but Abramovich insists he will not spend more than £20 million on each player.

A source close to the Neymar deal told Soccernet: "There is still a good chance this deal will go through. However, Roman Abramovich will not sanction the 35 million euro buyout clause.

"The talks are ongoing, the player wants to come to Chelsea and we everyone involved is currently still working on it."

And despite Ramires claiming on Thursday that he would love to secure a "dream" move to Stamford Bridge, the transfer fee has yet to be agreed and appears to remain a sticking point.

A source close to the Ramires talks told Soccernet: "There is progress, but it is steady, and there could be developments shortly.

"There is no doubt the player has set is heart on moving to Chelsea, and he had informed Benfica of his desire to go to Stamford Bridge. It is only a matter of time, and perhaps adjusting the price."

While the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal are also proving reluctant to pay big money for players, Manchester City are bucking the trend by spending over the odds to bring players to Eastlands.

Abramovich did the same when he first arrived in west London, but a new era of relative prudence appears to have been ushered in at Stamford Bridge.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.