Roman can snap up Alex for 52p

By NEIL ASHTON

Last updated at 13:09 09 March 2007

The man who knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League can sign for Chelsea in the summer for just $1 (52p) after details of their incredible agreement with PSV Eindhoven emerged last night.

Brazilian defender Alex was signed by Chelsea in 2004 for eight million euros, but immediately transferred to PSV because he could not satisfy stringent work permit regulations in this country.

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The PSV centre half, who ended Arsenal’s Champions League aspirations when he scored their 83rd-minute equaliser at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, could end up playing against Chelsea if they draw each other in the quarter-finals.

Chelsea have first option to buy the defender and the Premiership champions can exercise that right by paying a nominal consideration of just $1 at the end of the season to secure his release from the Dutch League leaders.

A Chelsea source said last night: "Alex is a PSV player. His international transfer certificate is held by PSV and he is registered with them.

"We have an option to buy him at the end of the season, but he is not a Chelsea player. We have no control or influence over his selection."

Although PSV coach Ronald Koeman claimed that Chelsea own the player after Wednesday's 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium, Stamford Bridge officials were keen to distance themselves from the agreement last night.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon, who is in Athens for today’s Champions League draw, insists they are first in the queue to sign the Brazilian but it is understood they are unlikely to exercise that right.

Alex is required to play in 70 per cent of Brazil’s internationals to qualify for a work permit, but the defender is behind Lucio in the pecking order for his country.

Despite his classy performance for PSV on Wednesday, Chelsea doubt whether he is good enough to play in the Premiership, but they will make a decision on his future at the end of the season.

Despite Chelsea’s denial, Alex claims he is already a Chelsea player and insists that he may yet be at Stamford Bridge next season.

The PSV defender claimed: "I know my contract belongs to Chelsea, but I’m a PSV player. I would love to play in the Premiership and we will see what happens at the end of the season.

"I don’t know whether I will stay in Holland or get a chance in England with Chelsea. I cannot really explain what happened because I thought I was going to be playing for Chelsea this season but apparently there was a problem with a work permit and I had to go back to PSV.

"I’m not sure whether I will stay with PSV or go to Chelsea. I will go back to Brazil this summer and then I will leave it up to my representatives to sort out my future.

"If this makes Chelsea happy that’s good, but my only thought was to help PSV beat Arsenal and go through. I was determined to do that and I am very happy to have done that.

"We will see who we get in the draw but it would not worry me if we got Chelsea. That would give me the chance again to show what I am capable of as a player."