Future Chelsea superstar 'expected' to join Strasbourg - Romano

Cameron Smith

9 Jun 2024 15:00 BST
4 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Sport Recife youngster Pedro Lima is “expected” to join Strasbourg before eventually ending up at Chelsea.

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The 17-year-old has been identified as a key target by the Blues and he is close to signing for Strasbourg - Chelsea’s sister club.

The Blues’ interest in the Brazilian was first revealed by FootballTransfers, in conjunction with The Transfers Podcast, and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Lima is set to join Strasbourg this summer.

Romano posted on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Chelsea have prepared Pedro Lima deal with Strasbourg: Brazilian right back expected to join the French club from Sport Recife.

“Agreement on personal terms, working on final details between clubs to be sealed in the next [few] days. Strasbourg move with [a] view to [a] Chelsea future.”

Lima has made 25 first-team appearances for Sport Recife, scoring two goals and providing two assists. He also started all five of Brazil U17s’ matches at the U17 World Cup in late 2023, providing an assist in their 3-1 round of 16 win over Ecuador.

Chelsea youngsters Angelo Gabriel and Andrey Santos were both loaned to Strasbourg during the 2023-24 season after the Blues’ owners purchased the Ligue 1 club.

Chelsea want Pedro Lima

Chelsea’s interest in Lima was first exclusively reported by FootballTransfers, in conjunction with The Transfers Podcast, in late May.

We understand Sport Recife president Yuri Romao travelled to the United Kingdom in order to discuss a potential transfer with the Blues hierarchy, while FootballTransfers has been told that Chelsea offered a guaranteed sum of €7 million, plus a further €3m in add-ons.

However, Sport Recife would like the west London club to pay Lima’s release clause of €12.1m in full.

As the Brazilian does not yet qualify for a UK work permit, Chelsea’s sporting directors have proposed a development plan that will initially see Lima join Strasbourg.