Chelsea fend off Real Madrid hijack attempt to repeat Estevao trick

Tom Weber

8 Jun 2024 21:45 BST
3 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti — © IMAGO

Chelsea are set to sign Brazil youth international Pedro Lima, according to a report.

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The Blues' pursuit of the Sport Recife youngster was exclusively revealed by The Transfer Podcast back in May, but negotiations dragged on for a bit. Chelsea had wanted to get a cut-price deal, but the Brazilian side insisted on a fee closer to his €12 million release clause, forcing the Blues to increase their offer.

This prolonged the talks and gave hope to other clubs, chief among them Real Madrid. Chief scout Juni Calafat has a far-reaching network in Brazil and was aware of the talents of Lima.

Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that Real Madrid had fully entered the race to sign the 17-year-old full-back and that Los Blancos were keen on hijacking Chelsea's deal.

Now, however, it is claimed that the Blues have managed to successfully ward off the LaLiga champions.

Chelsea to sign Lima

According to Relevo, Chelsea are just 'one step away' from completing the signing of Lima in what the Spanish outlet terms a repeat of their Estevao 'plan.'

Taking a page out of Real Madrid's book after the eminently successful Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo signings, Chelsea are now trying to pluck high-potential South American talent straight from the source to bypass smaller European middlemen and thus, in theory, save money.

The Blues recently completed the signing of wonderkid Estevao Willian from Palmeiras - a player so talented he has been dubbed 'Messinho' - for a whopping €65 million, with the youngster set to join next year, while his teammate Endrick is on his way to Real.

Now, they are also on the verge of signing Lima, who has been compared to Brazil legend Cafu, for a relatively trifling sum. Unlike Estevao, Lima could already head to Stamford Bridge this summer as he turns 18 on July 1.

However, the Blues could struggle to secure a UK work permit for the Brazilian and could therefore send him to Ligue 1 affiliate Strasbourg initially, as revealed by The Transfers Podcast.