Sport Recife director Marcelo Barros has revealed that Chelsea do have competition for right-back Pedro Lima.
While he does claim that one team specifically is “slightly more advanced” in negotiations than others, Barros emphasised that it is not a foregone conclusion which club the 17-year-old will end up joining:
“There are many clubs interested. And Pedro and I have been talking to more than one club. But there are slightly more advanced negotiations with one of them. We’re making a very careful assessment. I don’t see a club in Brazil that would make the investment we want for Pedro, and it’s not in the athlete’s interest either. So we’re not too worried. And there are different offers.”
Barros went on to say that one team has had a formal bid “turned down”, although they are in the process of seeing whether the offer can be renegotiated.
The defender does have a €10m (£8.5m) release clause in his contract but it is believed that the proposal on the table is below that figure.
Who else is interested in signing Lima?
Both Liverpool and Manchester City have reportedly scouted the Brazilian Under 17 international in the past, but it is not known whether either team have now stepped up their pursuit in the player.
Other European clubs are also believed to be keen on Lima but, based on reports in Brazil, it does appear as if Chelsea are the team pressing to secure his signature.
What do Chelsea fans need to know about the player?
The fullback came through Sport Recife’s academy and he made his senior debut back in January against Afogados in the Campeonato Pernambucano state championship.
Since then, Lima has made 24 appearances for the first team, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists. Last year, he also started all 5 of Brazil’s games at the Under 17 World Cup.
