Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo remained coy on continued speculation that the club is close to sealing a deal for Internacional playmaker Oscar.
The Premier League club are understood to have had a 25 million euro
offer already rejected by the Brazilian club, prompting president
Giovanni Luigi to admit that the youngster could be sold if a further
bid was suitable.
And, despite reports in Brazil suggesting that the 20-year-old was
temporarily released from his Olympic duties in order to complete a
medical with the Blues ahead of a 32m euro move, Di Matteo was reluctant
to reveal too much on the current situation.
"I can tell you that he's not a Chelsea player so it's difficult for
me to talk about a player that doesn't belong to us," the Italian told
reporters. "I know there has been speculation that we are interested in
this player and in due course, if there is anything to announce, we will
do. All I would say is that he is a very young, talented midfield
player."
Di Matteo, who was speaking in America ahead of the club's preseason
friendly against the Seattle Sounders, revealed that winger Florent Malouda had joined up with the squad despite much speculation linking the winger with an imminent departure.
Santos were thought to be close to sealing the France international's signature, but wage demands look to be halting progress.
Di Matteo added: "Players are now slowly returning, Malouda was back
today and we expect the others to come when we are on the east coast.
"I still haven't had a chance to speak to Florent, so I need to speak
to him first and see what his intentions are, then we will see what the
best interests are for him and the club.
"At the moment I am very happy with the squad. We have a good squad, a
very good team and have new players with us already. Our job is to try
to integrate them into a team that was very successful last season."Source Us America