Chelsea are reportedly attempting to sign a 16-year-old from Corinthians for a fee in the region of £10.5m.
Co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are no strangers to negotiating deals for South American talent, an array of prospects having already moved or agreed to move to Stamford Bridge over the past two-and-a-half years.
With Chelsea currently in the process of loaning backup players elsewhere at a time when they are dropping down the Premier League table, the assumption has been that full focus would be placed on improving Enzo Maresca's senior squad.
However, according to Ge.Globo, Chelsea are in the process of splashing the cash on Denner, the cousin of Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes.
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Denner on brink of Chelsea transfer?
The report claims that Chelsea officials are in advanced negotiations with their Corinthians counterparts.
Despite having just 18 academy games under his belt, the 16-year-old could be moving to Chelsea for €12.5m (£10.5m).
Denner - who plays at left-back - has contributed four goals and one assist, starring in a youth side that has just lost the Copinha final to Sao Paulo.
With Denner not turning 18 years of age until February 2026, he would not become eligible to play for Chelsea until July later that year due to FIFA regulations.
Corinthians have allegedly made the decision to do business with Chelsea through concern over losing the starlet to a rival Brazilian club for a lower amount.
That is a result of discussions over a professional contract failing to lead to an agreement, putting Corinthians in a vulnerable position.
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More Brazilian business
Earlier this week, it was claimed that Chelsea were allowing Deivid Washington to return to former club Santos on a loan deal after only earning 25 minutes of senior football since the summer of 2023.
Angelo Gabriel was also sold for a profit when he moved to Al-Nassr last summer without ever making a competitive outing for Chelsea.
Palmeiras and Brazil star Estevao Willian is due to link up with Chelsea's senior ranks in July, where he will be joined by Ecuadorian playmaker Kendry Paez.
Darren Plant
