Chelsea are one of 5 clubs keeping close tabs on Palmeiras forward Estevao Willian, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Catalan publication claims that the Blues, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring the Brazilian, who has been lighting up the Under 17 World Cup in recent weeks. With Mauricio Pochettino’s side having recruited a whole host of young players since the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capital takeover last year, fans on X are not surprised that the club are keen on signing Estevao:
ANOTHER TOP TALENT 💙
— Dandison🇳🇬🇬🇧 (@Dandisonn) November 23, 2023
Get them all
— O.A (@Abdul3490) November 23, 2023
Great player!!
— NICOLAS JACKSON. (@thedodgebase) November 23, 2023
yes yes yes yes
— T (@t4hir10) November 23, 2023
Chelsea’s scouting project is getting better. These young players will make the future of Chelsea more exciting.
Up the Chels 💙.— Anpa (@CFCAnpa) November 23, 2023
Good player
— MURIITHI (@mykchess) November 23, 2023
Yet another youngster, never ending supply
— Obimgbo (@O_biora) November 23, 2023
Estevao has had an excellent Under 17 World Cup
The 16-year-old has been starring for Brazil out in Indonesia, having scored 3 goals and provided 3 assists in 4 appearances at the tournament.
Estevao’s brace against Ecuador in the 3-1 win on Monday helped his country secure their passage through to the quarter-finals, where they will face Argentina.
Palmeiras won’t let the player leave for below his release clause
When he signed a professional contract with his club earlier this year, a buyout fee worth €60m (£52m) was included.
Since then, it has been reported that PSG have made bids worth €40m (£35m) and €50m (£44m); both of which were rejected by Palmeiras. It means Chelsea may have to trigger the release clause if they are to secure Estevao’s signature in January or at the end of the season.
