Chelsea midfielder Juliano Belletti admits he was interested in a move to Adriano's Flamengo.

Flamengo had hoped to sign the versatile veteran in time for their assault on the Copa Libertadores - South America's equivalent of the Champions League.

The 33-year-old last week he was interested in returning home, but will now have to wait until his Stamford Bridge contract runs out in the summer.

Flamengo had prepared a two-year deal, but could not afford to pay a transfer fee.

And Belletti said on Twitter: "Chelsea FC said that they are not going to release me before the end of my contract, which expires in June 2010."