Flamengo want £21m to sell Chelsea transfer target Matheus Franca, according to the Evening Standard.
The Blues are said to be keen on snapping up the Brazilian but fans on Twitter are split on whether it is worth paying such a high amount for a relatively unproven player:
Not worth it…
— Adrian⭐️⭐️ (@El_Patron_CFC) July 6, 2023
Pay now or pay 80m later
— Tito (@heli_chito) July 6, 2023
Just pay
— Lautaro Parejo (@LautaroParejo) July 6, 2023
We could spend the money on Onana
— Zack Fortag (@Zack_fortag) July 6, 2023
Very fair price for such a gem
— Lazaro Macharia (@macharia_lazaro) July 6, 2023
We need first team signings.
— KACHI🐈⬛🐈⬛(🌽,🌾).bit (@Kachiafrica) July 6, 2023
Seal this deal ASAP no time
— Alex Rambo (@Alexrambo01) July 7, 2023
very expensive, if we pay this price he has to get into the first team right away
— ☔️ (@CFCIbi) July 6, 2023
Franca has been watched by plenty of English clubs
In addition to Chelsea, both Newcastle and Arsenal have been credited with an interest in the 19-year-old over the past few months.
Despite his young age, Franca has already established himself as a regular starter for Flamengo, having made 53 appearances since he made his debut in December 2021.
The teenager played in the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Libertadores last year as Flamengo won both competitions.
Chelsea are keen on recruiting the best young players from Brazil
In addition to Franca, it is believed that the Blues are close to sealing the signature of Santos winger Angelo Gabriel.
A fee of £12.8m has been agreed, but he is expected to be sent out on loan to Ligue One side Strasbourg straight away to gain more first-team experience.
With Chelsea having recruited Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama in January as well, it does seem as if the Brazilian market is one that the London club is keen to explore. It would not be a surprise if we see even more players linked from that country in the near future.
