Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly ready to commit £52million on a 16-year-old Brazilian wonderkid. Palmeiras sensation Estevao Willian has attracted huge interest from Europe’s big hitters after breaking through in Brazil.
Despite his tender years, the attack-minded midfielder has broken into the Palmeiras first team and already has five caps and three goals for Brazili’s under-17 side. That has not gone unnoticed with clubs queuing up to snap up the teenager. As well as Chelsea and United, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are also eyeing the youngster up.
However, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claim that it looks increasingly difficult for Barcelona to sign him, given their financial difficulties. The report also states that it is Chelsea and United in the driving seat, with both Premier League clubs ready and willing to trigger his £52m release clause ahead of the January transfer window.
Barcelona and PSG have already snapped up Brazilian wonderkids of their own with Vitor Roque heading to Spain and Lucas Beraldo and Gabriel Moscardo set to join the Parisians. It remains to be seen if United and Chelsea make their move next month or if they’ll wait for the summer, with both clubs in difficult positions on the pitch and in need of reinforcements in other areas of their squad.
United need to sell before they can buy due to FFP rules, meaning they’ll be somewhat restricted in January. A right-sided centre-back is high on their agenda, as is a low-cost forward option.
Erik ten Hag’s side have endured a miserable season and are currently languishing in eighth place – however, there was some good news over Christmas with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent investment deal going through. That will not free up funds for next month but Ten Hag could be given greater budgets in the summer to go after the likes of Estevao if he can survive the season.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have not fared much better and are down in 10th, having amassed just 22 points. Mauricio Pochettino has complained about the imbalance of his squad all season and made a public plea to Todd Boehly earlier this month for more signings in January following their loss to Everton.
“I am really disappointed. This was a game to play and win. It is a problem that we must analyse. We need to talk and try to improve in the next transfer market,” he said. Boehly has already splashed out over £1bn on transfers over the last few windows but Pochettino wants a new striker to lead his attack with the likes of Ivan Toney, Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres being linked.
That could put any deal for Estevao on the back burner, especially given the youngster would likely have to wait until he is 18 to be able to play for either of the Premier League giants.
