Chelsea has deployed an executive to Brazil with the strategic objective of securing the signature of the highly touted wonderkid Estevao Willian, as detailed by Sport. The reported approach involves the club’s representative being present in Sao Paulo to activate the £52 million release clause, and the potential deal is poised to ascend to £65 million. Notably, PSG’s withdrawal from the competitive race has now paved a clear path for Chelsea to expedite the finalization of this promising signing.
Willian, having already demonstrated his prodigious talent as a starter for Brazil in the U17 World Cup last year, where he impressively notched three goals and provided three assists across five games, has continued to make waves in the U20s. His current season boasts an impressive record of six goals and three assists, solidifying his status as a rising star.
Despite the imminent nature of the deal, there is a temporal constraint, as Willian cannot formally join Chelsea until he reaches the age of 18 in 2025. This prospective acquisition aligns with a recurring pattern for Chelsea under the leadership of Todd Boehly, showcasing a trend of securing emerging talents from Brazil.
The impending addition of Estevao Willian to Chelsea’s ranks marks the continuation of a strategic initiative, making him the fourth Brazilian youngster to be signed by the Blues in the past year and a half. This trend follows the previous acquisitions of Andrey Santos, Angelo Gabriel, and Deivid Washington, highlighting the club’s commitment to nurturing and integrating promising talents into their ranks.
This was Estevão Willian (Messinho) as a fifteen-year old. The Palmeiras forward just keeps improving. Todd Boehly, bring this boy to Chelsea ASAP.pic.twitter.com/bcltU4v7kN
— Pukka (@CFC_Pukka) January 12, 2024