Chelsea have held preliminary talks with Borussia Dortmund’s Brazilian left-back Dede over a possible £6m transfer.
“There have already been two meetings with Chelsea. The last one took place two weeks ago and they want me,” said Dede, who is 27.
“Because I’m not an international, it’s difficult to get a work permit to play in England,” he told Ruhr Nachtrichten.
“Chelsea said they will get back to me and then contact Dortmund once they’ve found a way to get a passport for me.”
Dortmund have debts of £50m and are expected to sell their highest-paid players during the summer.
Chelsea have made signing a left back as a priority for the summer. They have have lacked cover in the position since Wayne Bridg broke his ankle earlier this season.
Chelsea have been linked with other left-backs including Arsenal’s Ashley Cole, Juventus Gianluca Zambrotta and Udinese’s Marek Jankolovski.
