Deal close: Chelsea agree deal to sign Brazilian attacker
Chelsea FC is nearing an agreement to recruit Brazilian prodigy Estevao Willian from Palmeiras to Stamford Bridge for a possible sum of up to £60 million, including add-ons. This would be one of the biggest signings in the club’s recent history.
Chelsea has reportedly reached an agreement in principle to sign the 17-year-old phenom, making him the fourth most expensive youngster in football history, according to a report on HITC. At this young age, only Kylian Mbappe, Joao Felix, and Matthijs de Ligt have been traded for larger sums of money.
Since the Clearlake Capital takeover, Chelsea have focused heavily on the South American talent pool. This strategic pivot seems to be paying dividends, with Willian poised to join the London club despite interest from other European heavyweights like Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The Brazil Under-17 international, who has a release clause of £38 million in his contract, is reportedly set to join Chelsea for an initial £47 million. This means Chelsea can spread the payment across a series of instalments, with a £13 million made up of bonuses and add-ons should Estevao prove to be a success in England.
Real Madrid, known for their success in scouting and developing Brazilian talents like Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, were also in the race. However, Chelsea’s aggressive approach and the promise of significant investment in his development have tipped the balance in their favor.
Palmeiras have accepted Chelsea’s offer as the best they could receive for their young star, who is expected to bring a blend of skill and promise to Pochettino’s squad as they aim to compete at the highest levels both domestically and in European competitions.