Chelsea are “negotiating” a deal to sign Palmeiras winger Estevao, according to Goal Brasil.
The 16-year-old impressed playing for Brazil at the Under 17 World Cup last month, and he has been subsequently linked with a move to a number of teams.
It is believed that Arsenal, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have all made enquiries about Estevao but the Blues are the only club so far to begin formal talks.
The teenager’s release clause is €45m (£38.6m) but Goal report that a deal could be agreed for slightly below that figure, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side expected to pay around €40m (£34m).
An initial fee of €20m (£17m) would be paid in installments, while another €20m is dependent on bonuses related to appearances and goals scored.
What do Chelsea fans need to know about Estevao?
The winger actually started out in Cruzeiro’s academy before he made the move to Palmeiras in May 2021. Since then, he has been making his way through the 3-time Copa Libertadores winner’s youth ranks.
Before making his senior debut at club level, Estevao turned heads with his performances at the U17 World Cup in Indonesia, scoring 3 goals and providing 3 assists in 5 appearances, before Brazil were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Argentina.
On his return to his club, Estevao made the bench for Palmeiras’s first team for the first time against America-MG last week. He then made his first appearance as a substitute against Cruzeiro on Thursday.
Estevao won’t move to England straight away
If Chelsea do reach an agreement with Palmeiras, it will still be some time before fans see the Brazilian playing for the Blues.
There are rules in place that mean Estevao can’t leave his home country until he is 18. It means that, just like Kendry Paez, he won’t officially seal his switch to Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2025.