The player is the first part of Avram Grant’s rebuilding plans as Chelsea look strengthen their squad ahead of next season.

Chelsea issued a statement confirming the deal on their official website, www.chelseafc.com.

It read: “Chelsea can confirm it has reached agreement with FC Porto for the transfer of Jose Bosingwa. The player is now in England to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.”

The player is likely to sign a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea will pay around £16million for his services.

His arrival will place more speculation on the future of Julian Belletti. He has been ignored in recent weeks with Michael Essien playing at right-back.

Chelsea’s other right-back, Portuguese international Paulo Ferreira, signed a five-year deal earlier this season and is unlikely to move on.

United have long been in the hunt for a right-back and assistant coach Carlos Queiroz confirmed their interest in the player earlier in the season.

United saw him as a successor to Gary Neville but Chelsea have moved swiftly to snap-up the attack-minded defender.

Bosingwa is set to play for Portugal in the Euro 2008, but was born in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He moved to Seia in central Portugal when he was young and began his career mainly playing in midfield for Boavista, where he made more than 40 appearances.

Bosingwa joined FC Porto in 2003, where he played under former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho and has been first-choice right-back for the last three seasons.

Three years ago, Bosingwa was involved in a serious car accident when his jeep skidded off a motorway and rolled down an embankment before bursting into flames.

He was with four other players at the time, but all survived. However, Sandro Luis had to have his left foot amputated as a result of the accident.