Agent believes Alves deal is close

Daniel Alves's agent is confident a deal can be struck between Chelsea and Sevilla for the full back.

Reports in Spain suggested the two clubs had reached agreement over a £24.5million switch to Stamford Bridge but the London club today issued a statement denying this.

The 24-year-old has been left out of Sevilla's squad for their Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens tonight, fuelling speculation his career with the Uefa Cup holders is about to come to an end.

"I am confident in the Chelsea directors, I understand Chelsea is not easy to be driven but let's say at least we are 80-90% confident that we can close the agreement," said Geronimo Suarez today.

Real Madrid have also been linked with the Brazil international but Suazo has reiterated Alves's desireto join Jose Mourinho's side.

"He is determined to go there (Chelsea)," Suazo said, speaking in an interview with BBC Radio Five Live. "He has spoken in these terms a lot of times, he has said to the press here in Seville that he is 100% determined to go Chelsea.

"He asked for the Seville club to close the agreement with Chelsea as soon as possible. These are his own words."

Suazo added: "We expected yesterday afternoon to be the perfect day to close the agreement but it didn't arrive so it may be two or three days or a maximum of one week before both clubs must find a solution.

"We cannot continue in this way for a long time because the player is suffering a lot here.

"Now we are in a complicated moment between the clubs because both are  determined to close a deal but it is not easy to finalise in this case. We will need more time, more patience and more confidence in the clubs.

"We are far enough (apart) to not be close and allow the deal, but close enough to be confident that finally the clubs will be able to reach an agreement for the player."

Chelsea's statement on the matter read: "Contrary to reports from Spain, Chelsea Football Club has not reached an agreement for the transfer of Daniel Alves from Sevilla.

"Chelsea FC has confirmed its interest in the player to the club but as yet there is no agreement."

If Alves does join Chelsea Dutch winger Arjen Robben will almost certainly be on his way to Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have unveiled defender Alex. The Brazilian joined from PSV Eindhoven this summer but is still not fit enough to be considered for tonight's Premier League clash with Reading at the Madejski stadium.

He helped Brazil to lift the Copa America during the summer and declared his new Chelsea team-mates possessed the same quality as his Samba co-stars.

Alex said: "The level is the same at Chelsea. They have many players at the club who also play for their countries. I am sure all the players at Chelsea are the same quality in level as the Brazilian team."