'Done deal' - Wonderkid CONFIRMS €10m Chelsea transfer

Cameron Smith

• 17 Jun 2024 12:20 BST
• 3 min read

Sport Recife defender Pedro Lima has confirmed that his move to Chelsea, via Strasbourg, is “almost a done deal.”

The 17-year-old will join Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg for an initial €7 million, with a further €3.5m in potential add-ons. He is then expected to sign for Chelsea at some point in the future if he impresses in France.

Lima’s move to BlueCo was first exclusively reported by The Transfers Podcast, in conjunction with FootballTransfers, and the Brazilian will join Strasbourg, rather than Chelsea, as he is not yet eligible for a UK work permit.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024 - All the Done Deals

Lima has now confirmed that he is close to leaving Sport Recife to secure a move to France.

He told Brazilian journalist Alessandro Matias: “Yes, it’s almost a done deal. It’s almost completed.”

As a result, Lima is expected to join Strasbourg in the coming days. The 17-year-old even missed Sport Recife’s Serie B match against Mirassol on Sunday as his departure edges closer.

READ MORE: Who is Pedro Lima? The 'next Cafu' set to join BlueCo

Chelsea sent Brazilian youngsters Angelo Gabriel and Andrey Santos on loan to Strasbourg last season, with both gaining valuable first-team experience in the French top flight.

Last season, Patrick Vieira’s side finished 13th in Ligue 1, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Chelsea’s summer transfer plans

While Lima will join Strasbourg, rather than Chelsea, the Blues have already completed their first signing of the 2024 summer transfer window - Tosin Adarabioyo.

The 26-year-old has joined the club on a free transfer from west London rivals Fulham after his contract at Craven Cottage expired.

Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) and Jhon Duran (Aston Villa) remain key transfer targets for Enzo Maresca’s side, while Chelsea’s new boss reportedly sent scouts to watch Riccardo Calafiori in action for Italy against Albania on Saturday.

However, the Euro 2024 star is still expected to follow in Thiago Motta’s footsteps by leaving Bologna for Juventus.