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Estevao Willian transfer news
One of Chelsea’s top teenage targets has reportedly verbally agreed to personal terms with the team, marking a key step toward joining.
Estevao Willian, 17, has made 14 senior appearances for Brazilian giants Palmeiras in all competitions after breaking into the club and national teams in recent months.
Estevao has three goals and one assist in that period, scoring once each in the Copa Libertadores, Copa do Brasil, and Brasileiro during the 2024 season.
Before making waves in the Palmeiras main squad, the 2007-born forward starred for Brazil at last year’s Under-17 World Cup, where he scored three goals and assisted three others in five matches to help his country reach the quarterfinals.
Estevao’s successes at such a young age have understandably sparked interest from big teams across Europe, and his contract with Palmeiras, which he only signed in January, is set to expire in 2026.
Estevao Willian “gives green light to Chelsea contract”
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Estevao has officially accepted Chelsea’s contract offer, and the Blues are preparing to send their first official proposal to Palmeiras.
Romano adds that Chelsea is set to make an offer of roughly €32 million (£27.6 million) with add-ons as they begin talks with Palmeiras, and the Blues have been at the top of the queue since January.
Nothing has been inked yet, but the West London club is thought to be confident in their chances of moving Estevao to the Premier League, even though he will most likely remain on loan with Palmeiras until his 18th birthday.
Estevao would thus follow in the footsteps of another Palmeiras teenage superstar Endrick, who will officially join Real Madrid on his 18th birthday in July.
Chelsea, who were always willing to throw their hat in the ring for highly rated phenoms during the Todd Boehly era, may need to look to the youth or experience market for a couple of more spots this summer.
The Blues are alleged to have offered Romelu Lukaku to Napoli in exchange for 2022-23 Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen, and they are also interested in Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
A new centre-back to replace the leaving Thiago Silva, as well as a new goalkeeper, should be on Pochettino’s list, since Robert Sanchez’s attempt to become number one following his move from Brighton & Hove Albion has not gone as planned.
Nonetheless, a springtime comeback has propelled the Blues to seventh place in the Premier League table, a position that will qualify them for the Europa Conference League if eighth-placed Manchester United does not improve and loses the FA Cup to Manchester City.
