Chelsea raid Brazil again! Blues negotiating €40m deal with Palmeiras for 16-year-old talent Estevao Willian

GOALhas learnt that the English club are keen on securing the young talent and are willing to pay a combination of fixed amounts and bonuses for the attacking midfielder which could potentially reach €40 million (£35m/$43m).

Born in April 2007, Willian will turn 18 in 2025, where he would then set sail for the British Isles. Chelsea are aiming to replicate Real Madrid's successful strategy with striker Endrick, who is going to make a similar move to the Spanish capital next summer.

It is understood that there is a release clause of €45m (£39m/$49m) with Palmeiras holding 70% of the rights and the remaining 30% with the player. The Verdaoare negotiating a fixed €20m (£18m/$22m) for the sale of Willian, with the amount to be paid in installments. Additionally, €20m in bonuses are being discussed, contingent on performance-related goals, including those with Palmeiras, Chelsea, and potential call-ups to the Brazilian national team.

Other top clubs, including Arsenal, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain, have also expressed interest in Willian. However, none of them went ahead with the negotiations and the talks are said to have fallen through.

Chelsea already have several young South American players on their roster including Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, as well as Angelo Gabriel and Andrey Santos who are out on loan. Therefore, should Willian sign for the London outfit, he will face ample competition from fellow youngsters eager to develop their game. Teen Ecuardorian sensation Kendry Paez signed a deal with the Blues similar to that on the table to Willian back in June. As a result, questions have been raised over the strategy employed by Todd Boehly to bring in so many young stars at the same time.

Despite tying down such young talent, Chelsea are still in need of immediate firepower in attack as both Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja have fallen short of delivering the goods upfront so far this term. They have been linked with a £100 million ($126m) move for Napoli's Victor Osimhen in January, but uncertainty around Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions could jeopardise the deal.