Chelsea announce agreement to sign Brazilian star Estevao Willian from Palmeiras
Chelsea have announced an agreement to sign young Brazilian Estevao Willian from Palmeiras.
The 17-year-old is considered one of South America's next big prospects and is nicknamed 'Messinho' or 'Little Messi'.
Estevao was also attracting interest from Barcelona, but it is Chelsea who have won the race.
They confirmed the news on Saturday and revealed that he will join the club next summer and not now.
talkSPORT reported last month that the deal would cost around £56 million and will join with a seven-year contract.
Estevao's youth career began at Cruzeiro before completing his move to Palmeiras in 2021.
The teenager made his senior debut for the Brazilian giants in December and has made a total of 23 appearances and scored four goals.
He has also played seven games for the Brazilian under-17 team, scoring three goals and assisting three others for his country.
Estevao will become the next young Brazilian to join Chelsea after Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel.
Santos and Gabriel played on loan in Strasbourg last season, with Washington mainly playing in the Blues' under-21 team.
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Although Chelsea will have to wait another year to officially welcome Estevao to the club, they have already started their transfer business ahead of next season under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Tosin Adarabioyo became their first signing of the summer, having joined on a free transfer after leaving west London rivals Fulham.
Chelsea were also in talks to sign Michael Olise from Crystal Palace but withdrew from the race and the winger is now set to join Bayern Munich.
Thiago Silva left the club and returned to Fluminense, with Lewis Hall ready to permanently join Newcastle after his loan deal last season included an obligation to buy for a fee of £28m.
Ian Maatsen is also in line to leave Aston Villa agreed a fee sign him for more than £35 million.
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