Chelsea have been eyeing up a move for Brazilian centre-back Dede to replace aging John Terry

The Vasco Da Gama centre-back, who is also being chased by Liverpool and Manchester United, is set to be sold this summer with his club in the middle of a cash crisis.



Club skipper Terry, 32, has one more year on his contract and Dede is regarded as a long-term replacement.



Scouts have been monitoring Dede, 24, who has seven caps and is regarded as a player Brazil will build their defence around in the future. Long-term admirers Liverpool are ready to offer about £15m but Chelsea are ready to beat that bid and, with a strong Brazilian contingent at the club in the shape of Oscar, Ramires and David Luiz, they are confident of winning the race.



Oscar and Ramires have formed a sensational triumvirate with Juan Mata, whose masterful string-pulling has led Rafa Benitez to call for him to be named the PFA’s Footballer of the Year.



Polls close on Friday, with the winner being announced at the gala dinner on Sunday week.



Tottenham’s Gareth Bale is favourite to claim the award for the second time in three years, but Benitez believes his little Spanish maestro should be in with a shout.



Chelsea go into their 60th game of a marathon season tonight – at Fulham – in fourth place in the Premier League, ahead of Tottenham only on goal difference.



Benitez said: “He has scored 18 goals and made 29 assists and he has done that playing two games every week for months. He has been so good.

Rafa Benitez has called for Juan Mata to be named PFA Player of the Year

I would like to see Frank break the record, for sure. Rafa Benitez