Todd Boehly plan takes shape as Chelsea is close to agreeing a deal with Brazilian young star
Todd Boehly plan takes shape as Chelsea is close to agreeing a deal with Brazilian young star
Chelsea could reportedly soon reach an agreement with Palmeiras to sign 17-year-old prodigy Estevao Willian as talks continue over a potential move to Stamford Bridge in 2025.
The Blues are one of several clubs to be tracking the talented Brazilian, who is also said to have garnered interest from Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
According to The Guardian, Palmeiras are holding out for a fee of £25.8m (€30m) plus add-ons for Estevao. The 17-year-old, who has made six appearances in the Brazilian Serie A since his debut in December 2023, is under contract until 2026.
On Thursday, journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed personal terms had been verbally agreed with Estevao and that Chelsea are ready to offer a transfer fee of £27.5m plus add-ons, which could see the deal surpass £47.3m.
Should Estevao agree to a deal to sign for Chelsea, he, like Kendry Paez, though, would be unable to move to Stamford Bridge until next summer’s transfer window due to FIFA regulations. Rules from the game’s governing body state that players under the age of 18 are prohibited from making international transfers.
Chelsea have targeted the South American market over the last 18 months and, as well as Paez, have already signed the likes of Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington and Angelo.
Meanwhile, long-serving defender Thiago Silva will move in the other direction when his contract expires at the of the season, with the 38-year-old announcing this week that he will return to Brazilian club Fluminense.
