Now Jose lands £20m Carvalho

Chelsea will break the £200million barrier today if, as expected, they complete the signing of Ricardo Carvalho in a deal that could rise to £20m.

The Porto defender flew to London for a medical last night and will discuss personal terms with Peter Kenyon after the two clubs agreed a fee yesterday.

Chelsea's chief executive flew back from their pre-season tour of America after Porto accepted a faxed offer for Carvalho. Chelsea will pay £16.5m up front and a further £3.5m dependent on appearances making the Portuguese international the second biggest signing in the club's history after Didier Drogba, who completed a £24m move from Marseille last week.

The signing of Carvalho will take Chelsea's summer spending to £70m on just five players, and the grand total spent by Roman Abramovich to a staggering £210m, in less than 13 months, but there will be no more new arrivals before next January's transfer window.

The 26-year-old completes manager Jose Mourinho's elite 23-man squad and ensures Chelsea have at least two top-class players capable of playing in every position. Mourinho had been considering signing a younger centre-back as cover for John Terry and William Gallas, such as AC Milan's Fabricio Coloccini, but is not convinced by the capabilities of Robert Huth, 19, so has opted for a player with more experience.

After playing a leading role in Portugal's march to the Euro 2004 final, replacing Fernando Couto after the hosts' opening defeat to Greece, Carvalho will challenge Gallas closely for a starting position alongside Terry and even the captain's place is not guaranteed, particularly in the Champions League. No one is secure at Stamford Bridge these days, with the possible exception of Frank Lampard.