Chelsea have announced a deal to sign young Brazilian Estevao Willian from Palmeiras.
The 17-year-old is considered one of South America’s next big talents and is nicknamed “Messinho” or “Little Messi”.
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Barcelona has also shown interest in Estevao, but Chelsea has won the race.
They confirmed the news on Saturday and announced that he will not join the club now, but next summer.
The Pitch Prospect reported last month that the deal would cost around £56 million and he would sign a seven-year contract.
Estevao’s youth career began at Cruzeiro before completing his move to Palmeiras in 2021.
The teenager made his debut for the Brazilian giants’ first team in December and made 23 appearances in total, scoring four goals.
He also played seven games for the Brazilian U17 team, scoring three goals and providing three assists.
Estevao will be the next young Brazilian to join Chelsea after Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel.
Santos and Gabriel both played on loan for Strasbourg last season, while Washington played predominantly for the Blues’ U21 team.
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Although Chelsea will have to wait another year before they can officially welcome Estevao to the club, transfer dealings have already begun under new head coach Enzo Maresca ahead of next season.
Tosin Adarabioyo was their first signing of the summer when he joined the Londoners on a free transfer after leaving west London rivals Fulham.
Chelsea were also in talks to sign Michael Olise from Crystal Palace, but have pulled out of the race. The winger will now join Bayern Munich.
Thiago Silva has left the club and returned to Fluminense, while Lewis Hall is expected to join Newcastle permanently after his loan deal last season included an obligation to buy for a £28 million transfer fee.
Ian Maatsen is also facing a departure as Aston Villa have agreed a transfer fee of over £35 million for his signing.
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