( CNN ) -- At last it appears the pieces in soccer 's latest transfer window jigsaw are slowly falling into place . A pair of big-money moves involving English Premier League clubs on Wednesday could spark a frenzy of activity as Europe 's leading clubs aim to finish their business before Tuesday 's deadline . London-based club Tottenham Hotspur are at the coalface as things stand , securing a $ 40 million deal shortly after missing out on another to rivals Chelsea . All this with the potential world record transfer of their star player Gareth Bale to Spanish giants Real Madrid simmering in the background -- a move that manager Andre Villas-Boas admits is close . But while the two English clubs are splashing out lavish sums on new players , the teams they are buying from are resigned to having to offload their big names in a bid to balance the books . Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala announced their intention to sell a swathe of their stars earlier this month , alerting both Chelsea and Tottenham to the availability of Brazilian midfielder Willian . The 25-year-old appeared to be set for a move to Tottenham , but Chelsea swooped in to hijack the deal and on Wednesday announced it had been completed , for a fee reported to be $ 46.5 million . It means manager Jose Mourinho has ten midfielders at his disposal and raises the prospect that Spanish playmaker Juan Mata , who has n't featured in Chelsea 's first two games of the season , might be sold . Willian told Chelsea 's official website : `` Chelsea are one of the best clubs in the world , and now I 'm going to play for one of the best managers in the world . `` It 's been my dream to come to play here . Chelsea was always my first choice . `` Finally it 's become a reality , and when the offer came I never gave a thought to anybody else , I said to myself that I would run here , and I 'm happy to be here now . '' Chelsea are still in the market for Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney , who played for the English champions against Chelsea in their goalless draw on Monday night . The striker was afforded a fine reception by the home supporters , and took to his Facebook page on Wednesday to thank them for their support , the biggest hint yet that he might opt to stay at Old Trafford . Tottenham 's frustration at missing out on Willian might have been eased by a new signing of their own , as Italian club AS Roma announced midfielder Erik Lamela was set to join them for a fee of $ 39.9 million . At the same time the club confirmed the signing of Adam Ljajic from fellow Serie A side Fiorentina for $ 14.5 million , who is expected to fill the gap left by Lamela , from Argentina . Lamela 's acquisition means Tottenham have broken their transfer record three times in the close season , after the arrivals of Paulinho from Corinthians and Roberto Soldado from Valencia . They have also signed Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue and Belgian winger Nacer Chadli as Villas-Boas overhauls his squad in the face of Bale 's departure . The Welshman 's move to Real appears to be moving closer given Tottenham 's transfer outlay , Villas-Boas telling a news conference on Wednesday it could happen `` very soon . '' But the Portuguese also registered his disappointment that Bale has missed several training sessions as the saga unfolded . `` He is involved in a big transfer move to Real Madrid and in the end if it happens , we wish him all the best , but the fact that he has n't turned up is not the correct behavior , '' Villas-Boas told reporters . `` That is the position they chose to take and it 's up to the club to decide if it 's a fineable offense . '' As for how quickly Bale 's switch to Spain could be concluded Villas-Boas added : `` It could happen very , very soon . `` Will he be in tomorrow ? I do n't know . I 'm not really in control of the situation I 've left it up to the club to decide what they want to do . `` It 's up to Gareth ( whether he wants to come back again ) . He has a good relationship with everybody and he has saluted the players the other day , myself included . ''
Brazilian midfielder Willian joins Chelsea in a deal reported to be worth $ 46.5m . The 25-year-old had seemed destined for a switch to Tottenham Hotspur . Roma announce Erik Lamela is on his way to Tottenham for $ 39.9 million . Gareth Bale 's move to Real Madrid edges closer admits Andre Villas-Boas .