Chelsea have agreed on personal terms with Brazilian young talent and Palmeiras star Willian Estevāo.
Estevāo, 17, has been one of the most highly-sought youngsters with Arsenal and Barcelona said to have been interested in the young footballing sensation.
Playing as a winger for Palmeiras, Estevāo recorded his big break last year when he was drafted into Palmeira’s first team.
He has made 13 appearances for the Brazilian topflight champions, scoring 2 goals since his debut.
Despite interests from other Europe’s top clubs, Chelsea were in the pole position to sign Estevāo as they stepped up negotiations with the player’s camp for a deal.
Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, the London outfit have finally agreed terms with the youngster on personal terms and are set to enter into negotiations with Palmeiras.
The report adds Estevāo has a €55m release clause on his contract. Chelsea’s reported proposal for the players is a €32m transfer fee with €25m add-ons to be paid subsequently based on the performance of the player if a deal is finally brokered.
While Chelsea have stepped up proceedings for the youngster, it is understood Estevāo may not join Chelsea soon until 2025 depending on the progress of talks with Palmeiras.
The Brazil U-17 star has been tipped to hit the peak of his footballing career following sterling individual performances for the club and the Brazil youth team.
He made 5 appearances for Brazil U-17, scoring thrice, and is a top candidate to transition to Brazil U-20 following his standout performances.
The former Cruzeiro youth player will likely become Chelsea’s first signing this summer as the Blues continue reinforcing the squad with more young talents.
Elsewhere in Chelsea transfers, Thiago Silva has sealed a move to his boyhood club Fluminense in Brazil as a free agent from Chelsea.
The Brazilian defender refused to pen down a new contract with the club and opted to return to his homeland after four years with the Blues.
Chelsea are also expected to part ways with the club’s loanee to Fulham, Armando Broja, on a permanent transfer after the expiration of his loan contract with the Cottagers
They are also in talks with another loanee to Ipswich Town, Omar Hutchinson, who has starred for the Premier League-bound Championship side on his loan shift.
