Deco joined Chelsea in a deal worth £8million from Barcelona last night, becoming the first signing for Luiz Felipe Scolari, who officially takes over as manager at the West London club today. The Portugal play- maker's arrival paves the way for Frank Lampard to move to Inter Milan.

Deco signed a three-year contract and becomes Chelsea's second signing of the summer, after José Bosingwa, the right back who joined for £16.2million from FC Porto at the end of May. Scolari considered Deco, who turns 31 in August, as close to “irreplaceable” during his five years in charge of Portugal. Last season Deco returned to his best form since he helped Porto to win the Champions League under José Mourinho four years ago. But he was made surplus to requirements at the Catalan club, who want to raise money for their transfer targets, chiefly Emmanuel Adebayor, the Arsenal forward.

“I have come at the right time to do great things and help Chelsea get back to being the first team not only in England, but also to win the Champions League,” Deco said. “We have so many great players. Competition is healthy for everybody and makes the team better. I need a little bit of time to adapt, but I am sure I will do so quite fast.”

Chelsea's signing of Deco was a prerequisite for allowing Lampard to join Inter for a fee that is expected to be about £7million. The England midfield player, who is on holiday with his family in Italy, has been in discussions about a four-year deal, which has been reported to be worth more than £5.5million a season. “Inter? Let's wait and see,” Lampard said. “My future at Chelsea? I don't know anything yet. Italy is a beautiful country.”

Lampard may be joined at Inter by Ricardo Carvalho, according to Alcides, his fellow Chelsea defender. The Brazilian, who was on loan to PSV Eindhoven last season, claims that Chelsea stopped the Dutch club extending the loan. “PSV wanted me to stay, but it seems Carvalho is leaving and I am going to replace him,” Alcides said.

Decent bets

Middlesbrough are in talks to sign Marvin Emnes for about £2.6million, which would break Sparta Rotterdam's transfer record. The 20-year-old winger scored eight goals in 29 league matches last season.

Didier Digard, the midfield player, has said that his proposed move to Middlesbrough has stalled because Paris Saint-Germain have asked that the £3.9million transfer fee is paid up front rather than in two instalments.

PSV Eindhoven expect to agree a deal to sign Andreas Isaksson, from Manchester City, as a successor of Heurelho Gomes, the goalkeeper whom the Dutch champions have agreed to sell to Tottenham Hotspur.

Richard Dunne, the Ireland defender, is expected to sign a contract at Manchester City after he was persuaded to stay.

Dead certs

Tottenham have agreed a deal with Perugia to sign Mirko Ranieri, a 16-year-old goalkeeper who stands 6ft 2in tall, and have given Tom Huddlestone, the midfield player a new five-year contract, worth about £28,000 a week.

Long shots

Amaury Bischoff, the Werder Bremen midfield player, has claimed that he will join Arsenal this week. The 21-year-old was born in France but has a Portuguese mother.