Chelsea face Real Madrid battle for 'next Cafu'

Robin Bairner

8 Jun 2024 09:00 CDT
3 min read

Real Madrid are challenging Chelsea to sign Recife wonderkid Pedro Lima.

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FootballTransfers, in conjunction with The Transfers Podcast, previously revealed that Chelsea have bid for the 17-year-old Brazilian full-back on multiple occasions.

Complicating the Blues’ attempts to sign the teenager, who has been compared in style to all-time great Cafu, is the interest of Real Madrid, who are preparing to step up their challenge to sign a player who shone at the U17 World Cup.

Marca confirms that the Stamford Bridge side have been pushing hardest to sign the youngster, but Real Madrid are waiting in the wings to swoop should Enzo Maresca’s side fall short.

The Spanish report claims Pedro Lima is expected to leave for a fee around €7 million, and the Spanish report indicates that Los Blancos are increasingly confident of landing the player.

FootballTransfers understands, however, that Chelsea have previously offered €7m up front with €3m to follow in bonuses. Recife, though, are holding out for the player’s release fee of €12.1m.

© IMAGO - Pedro Lima in action for Recife

Pedro Lima the next on Real Madrid’s Brazilian conveyor belt?

Real Madrid have enjoyed profound success signing young Brazilians to their attacking ranks lately, with Vinicius Junior now a Ballon d’Or favourite while Rodrygo was an integral member of the side that won a 15th Champions League title. Endrick will join up with the Bernabeu outfit in the summer and it is now hoped that Lima will follow.

Carlo Ancelott’s side see the youngster as a player capable of being the heir to Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez on the right side of their defence. Both are 32 years old.

Lima, however, would likely go straight into the Castilla side to allow him to acclimatise, particularly since Sporting Recife only turn out in Brazil’s Serie B.

Chelsea, though, do appear to be the major obstacle they will have to overcome in the race to sign the teen.

The Blues have a similar plan to Real Madrid, though instead of sending Lima to their reserves, he would go on loan to Strasbourg.

Manchester City are also targeting Lima while there is also interest from Italy.