Palmeiras youngster Estevão Willian has attracted interest from Chelsea, Barcelona and several other top European clubs.
On January 13th, Mundo Deportivo reported the Blues are going all in and have sent an official to Brazil to negotiate a deal for the 16-year-old’s transfer. It was also stated the La Liga side haven’t made any moves for him.
A ‘top secret’ report from today’s Mundo Deportivo provides a different stance on Barca’s plans for the Chelsea target.
The Spanish club’s scouts have closely followed the winger in action for Brazil U17s and Palmeiras U20s. He has impressed for the latter, managing four goals and two assists from five games in La Copinha, a competition that attracts scouts from top clubs.
Chelsea are one of the clubs keen on signing the Brazil U17 international and the report claims they are even ‘willing to bid hard’ for him. If they were to agree a deal, Estevão can only arrive at the west London club after he turns 18 years of age in April 2025.
Barca are set to rival Mauricio Pochettino’s side and others in the race for Estevão. Mundo say the Catalan club are ‘determined’ to make a move for the teenager, after receiving the green light from their board.
This would certainly complicate Chelsea’s plan, despite their willingness to ‘bid hard’ for Estevão.
Mundo add he dreams of making a switch to the Camp Nou and this will give Barcelona an edge over other interested clubs.
Should that Barcelona interest be genuine then Chelsea will need to hurry before the cash-strapped Catalans find another lever down the back of the sofa.
