Primera Liga outfit Valencia are hoping to complete the signing of Chelsea full back Asier Del Horno later this week.

The Che are currently settling on a payment method for the proposed £4.75 million transfer fee with their Premiership counterparts, after reportedly clinching a deal with the player himself.

Del Horno did not do enough to impress Jose Mourinho in his debut season in English football, and now looks set to return to Spain after moving to The Blues from Athletic Bilbao last summer.

Valencia sporting director Amedeo Carboni, who flew to London on Thursday to broker a deal, is hopeful of securing the left back's signature within the next seven days.

"We are in negotiations with Chelsea and we hope to solve the situation this week," said Carboni

However, the Che official played down the Spanish club's interest in Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese international seemingly intent on pursuing a career in La Liga.

Ronaldo has been linked with a move to Real Madrid as well as long term suitors Valencia after sparking intense speculation over his future by voicing his desire to leave The Premiership, but Carboni says the Che have not yet made a formal approach for the talented winger despite manager Quique Sanchez Flores indicating his interest.

"I have read what the player said regarding his wish to play in the Spanish league next season," Carboni added.

"Many clubs have made a move but for the time being, we are not one of them."

United are determined to keep hold of the former Sporting starlet, and Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson remains convinced that his young charge will return to Old Trafford for pre-season training.

"Cristiano will be coming back," said the United chief.

Any reports of a rift with Wayne Rooney following the England man's sending off in the World Cup quarter final appear to be wide of the mark with the former Everton striker insisting he has no problem with Ronaldo, but the Portugal star is still likely to be targeted by opposition fans in the coming campaign.

The clubs agreed on a fee - thought to be £4.8million - for Del Horno, and he successfully agreed personal terms with the Primera Liga club, where he will replace Fabio Aurelio after the Brazilian's move to Liverpool.

The 25-year-old joined Premiership champions Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for £8million last summer but struggled to hold down a regular place in Jose Mourinho's side.

He played a part in Chelsea winning their second successive Premiership title but could now be replaced at Stamford Bridge by Arsenal and England left-back Ashley Cole.

Spanish giants Valencia announced the signing on their club website and declared that Del Horno would be paraded alongside fellow new recruit Fernando Morientes on Monday.

Chelsea lose over £3million on Spain international Del Horno, who was sent off for a clumsy challenge on Lionel Messi in the 2-1 Champions League defeat by Barcelona in February.

His departure has left Wayne Bridge as the only recognised left-back at Stamford Bridge, although French central defender William Gallas can play in the position and was often used in place of Del Horno last season.

With Del Horno gone, Mourinho has freed up space in the squad for Cole to complete his reported £16million transfer, which could go through in the coming week.

Cole fits the bill as a world-class full-back, with his return to fitness and form in the World Cup underlining his credentials.

Bridge has been given a public vote of confidence with Mourinho praising his condition after a loan spell at Fulham and he looks set to stay with the Premiership champions.

Mourinho, speaking at the launch of the club's new kit on Thursday, refused to comment on speculation linking him with Cole but did say Chelsea would buy a replacement should Del Horno leave.

"Ashley Cole is an Arsenal player. It's not correct to say anything about him," he said.

"We have Wayne Bridge back. His spirit at Fulham was good and it was a good move for him and for us. If we sell Del Horno we will have a space in our squad.

"But if Del Horno goes back to Spain we will need a good left-back. The transfer window is open and for sure we'll have two left-backs."

Valencia's move for Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa has fallen through.

The Spanish side were hoping to announce the signing of Simao after agreeing a deal with Benfica earlier this week.

The Portuguese winger has been linked with a move away from Benfica for some time and Valencia thought they had finally got their man.

Simao travelled to Spain for talks over the weekend, but an agreement over personal terms could not be reached.

Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira confirmed the deal had broken down because personal terms could not be agreed.

"We have always said that we were available to find a solution that allowed Simao and his family to find a better life. This is what we did," said Vieira.

"Simao has concrete ideas about his worth and what he wants.

"For the offer they gave him, it's better to stay at Benfica.

"When family is involved, if you have to move to a place where they are going to pay you the same, it's not worth it."

The news could alert other clubs to Simao's availability, with Liverpool and Chelsea long-term admirers of the winger.

HT, 2-0 up thanks to David Villa again...may i just say he's been the most consistent Spanish striker for the past 2-3 seasons...

wow wut a great game!! but awful ending = (
hope no1 get ban