It almost feels as if Chelsea sign a new South American wonderkid every week these days.
From Deivid Washington, Angelo Gabriel and Andrey Santos last summer, the Premier League giants are wasting no time returning to a market they know well in 2024.
HITC have already reported that Chelsea are set to seal a deal for Palmeiras winger Estevao Willian, stumping up a fee that could rise to £60 million for the teenager.
There has not been any official confirmation at this stage. It feels like only a matter of time before that changes, however, The Standard reporting that Estevao has passed his medical before putting pen to paper at Stamford Bridge.
The so-called ‘Little Messi’ will become the third baby-faced whizzkid to leave Palmeiras this summer too, West Ham United snapping up Luis Guilherme and Endrick on his way to Real Madrid.
“We knew that, when the (international tournaments) started, we would lose some players to the national teams,” head coach Abel Ferreira says, via JP. “But we didn’t count on (losing) so many due to sales. We already knew some situations, (such as) that Endrick was going to leave.
“Now, it’s Luis. Estevao is ready (to leave).”
Chelsea to sign Brazilian duo Pedro Lima and Estevao Willian
Estevao and Guilherme are not the only ones leaving Brazil for the English capital, meanwhile.
HITC reported a week ago that Chelsea had agreed personal terms with Sport Recife full-back Pedro Lima. Despite interest from Real Madrid, Manchester United and London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur, Lima’s agent admitted at the time that Chelsea were well on their way to getting a deal done.
“There has been progress in the negotiations (with Chelsea),” Renatao Guimaraes told Globo Esporte. “But it’s not over yet.
“The salary part is settled, but there are still some clauses to be defined in the contract, some bonuses.”
A few days later, Pedro Lima himself has now broken his silence.
The teenager met up with reporter Alessandro Matias this week. And by his own admission, Matias could not miss the opportunity to ask how far down the line those discussions with Chelsea were.
“It’s almost done, Alessandro,” was Lima’s response.
Still only 17, Lima only made his senior debut for Sport Recife in January. He is, however, a first-team regular already. He played every minute in the victory over local rivals Nautico in the final of the Campeonato Pernambucano, his all-action performances on the right-hand side catching the eye of numerous high-profile clubs on the other side of the Atlantic.
Another South American starlet heading to Stamford Bridge
An athletic and highly-technical right-back, Lima is unlikely to fight for a place in Chelsea’s senior squad straight away. HITC understands that a loan to France – Clearlake have already sent hte likes of Gabriel and Santos to sister club Strasbourg – is a very real possibility.
Esportes DP, meanwhile, report that Chelsea will pay around £6.5 million for Lima’s services.
“Pedro Lima is a spectacular boy,” Sport Recife team-mate Luciano Castan says. “From the first moment he was with us at the beginning of the season, he already showed the qualities and skills he has in the game.
“We as a group always try to help, not just him, but all the players too.
“He is a young boy with a lot of potential. We believe that he will still improve a lot. So, we are happy. We always try to convey tranquility and confidence. But he’s a straight-A kid. He has a focused mind, he knows what he wants, what he needs to grow further in his career.
“We are also happy to have this contact with him at the beginning of his career, we know that he will soar throughout his career.”
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