Chelsea have had a £32.3million bid for Lucas Moura rejected but Sao Paulo president Juvenal Juvencio admits they are close to winning the race for the Brazilian.

The 19-year-old has been high on their wish-list for some time and the Blues have now made their move. They have also stepped up their interest in another long-term target — Lille’s Eden Hazard.

Chelsea are fully aware they face stiff competition for Moura from Inter Milan — who have had a £20.2m offer turned down — as well as Real Madrid. Juvencio does not want to sell Sao Paulo’s prize asset and there is a £64.6m release clause in the winger’s contract.

However, the Brazilian club accept they will struggle to receive such a figure and are aware he could leave with interest coming from several European clubs.

After confirming Chelsea had made the highest offer, Juvencio said: “At the moment it is Chelsea that are the closest team to Lucas.

“Inter have presented an offer but that was not considered satisfactory to us. Real Madrid are another one of the teams and there have been contacts with [president] Florentino Perez who admires the player very much.

“I do not know what it will take [for Moura to leave]. There are many factors. He is happy here and he will only go if there is an important proposal.”

Moura claimed in March that Inter are his preferred destination but Chelsea are a far more attractive proposition after winning the Champions League.

They also boast good relations with Sao Paulo having agreed a deal for Lucas Piazon last year and the presence of other Brazilians at Stamford Bridge in Ramires and David Luiz could also help convince Moura. However, Chelsea will not want to sign both Moura and Hazard, who will confirm his departure from Lille in the next two weeks.

The uncertainty over Chelsea’s managerial situation could be a stumbling block to their ambitions.

They are looking to offer just a one-year deal to an experienced coach so they can push for Pep Guardiola, who is taking a break for 12 months, next summer.

Fabio Capello is still in the mix but the club may turn back to Roberto di Matteo. However, the latter was privately resigned to leaving before they won the Champions League.