Santos chief confirms talks with Chelsea winger Malouda

Santos vice-president Odilio Rodrigues has confirmed talks have taken place between the Brazilian club and Chelsea winger Florent Malouda regarding a possible switch.

 The France international found himself increasingly on the fringes of the first-team last season under both Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo in a tumultuous season..

 And, following the recent additions of Eden Hazard and Mirko Marin, it appears Malouda will be deemed surplus to requirements with Di Matteo keen to cash in on the wide man with just one year remaining on his contract.

 "We have only had informal talks," Rodrigues told Lancenet.

 The 32-year-old had been heavily linked with Vasco da Gama, but the Peixe appear to be leading the race after it was reported that Malouda had had dinner with Luis Alvaro Ribeiro, the president of the Sao Paulo club.

 It is thought the winger will now follow in the footsteps of Clarence Seedorf, who ended his 10-year stint with AC Milan to sign the most lucrative contract for a foreign player in South America football history with Botafogo.