Chelsea's pursuit of highly-rated coach Andre Villas-Boas appeared to move a step closer to completion last night as Porto announced they had received the payment required to release him from his contract.

Confirmation came earlier that Villas-Boas tendered his resignation with the Portuguese champions, and the receipt of the compensation payment, reported to be 15m euros, leaves the way clear for the 33-year-old to move on to a new club.