Willian... set for Chelsea move.

Brazil playmaker Willian has agreed to join Chelsea from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, the Premier League side said yesterday.

The transfer, however, is subject to a work permit hearing on Wednesday.

“Chelsea FC can confirm an agreement has been reached with both Willian and his club for the transfer of the Brazilian player,” the London club said in a statement.

The 25-year-old appeared to be heading for London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a £30 million deal after undergoing a medical at White Hart Lane on Wednesday but Chelsea made a late swoop for the Brazilian, who can play as an attacking midfielder or winger.

It has been reported that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich made an approach to his counterpart at the Dagestan-based club Suleiman Kerimov when a deal with Spurs appeared close.

Willian joined Anzhi from Shakhtar Donetsk in January, but the club’s owner Kerimov has tightened the purse-strings, putting the entire first-team available for sale and having sacked coach Rene Meulensteen.

Should the transfer go through, Willian will join Germany forward Andre Schurrle and Dutch midfielder Marco van Ginkel as summer arrivals at Stamford Bridge, and will add another body to an already packed roster of attacking midfielders at the club including Juan Mata, Oscar, Eden Hazard, Victor Moses, Kevin De Bruyne and Schurrle.

Manager Jose Mourinho has hinted that some players would have to leave, either on loan or on a permanent basis.

Media reports have also suggested Chelsea are interested in signing former Barcelona and Inter striker Samuel Eto’o, now at Anzhi, which may signal an end to attempts to buy Wayne Rooney from Premier League champions Manchester United.