Chelsea have reportedly struck a verbal agreement to sign a highly-rated Brazilian teenager for the summer of 2025.
Following the rapid rise of Endrick at Palmeiras, culminating in the attacker's imminent switch to Real Madrid, 17-year-old Estevao Willian has emerged as the latest promising prospect in the Brazilian club's ranks.
The 2007-born protege has already made 17 senior appearances for Palmeiras in all tournaments - contributing three goals and one assist - as well as making a name for himself internationally.
Estevao was one of the standout players at last year's Under-17 World Cup, conjuring up three goals and three assists from five appearances as Brazil progressed to the quarter-finals.
While still under contract at Palmeiras for another two years, Estevao has inevitably been tipped to join a European titan in the near future amid links with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
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Chelsea 'to pay up to £55.9m for Estevao'
However, it has already been reported that the Brazil Under-17 international has given the green light to personal terms with Chelsea, and according to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have now made a breakthrough with Palmeiras.
Romano states that Chelsea have verbally agreed to pay an initial €40m (£34.4m) for Estevao's services, and the fee could rise to as much as €65m (£55.9m) with performance-related add-ons.
The only thing now missing is the thumbs-up from the Palmeiras president, and Estevao is set to arrive at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2025, after he celebrates his 18th birthday.
The 17-year-old has supposedly agreed to a seven-year deal with Mauricio Pochettino's side to run until the summer of 2032, and he will remain with Palmeiras for another year before he is eligible to move to England.
Estevao has already found the back of the net in this year's Brasileiro and Copa Libertadores campaigns, and he was a part of Palmeiras' triumphant 2023 squad in the former competition.
What next for Chelsea after Estevao signing?
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Continuing their theme of going in hard and fast when a teenage talent catches their eye, Todd Boehly's Chelsea ought to focus on the here and now after securing Estevao's services for their future endeavours.
Significant financial losses have left the Blues treading a very delicate Financial Fair Play line, though, and a wave of exits will have to occur in the upcoming window, ideally before June 30 in order for the club to include them in this year's accounts.
Thiago Silva is already known to be departing when his deal runs out in the summer, and with Malang Sarr and Trevoh Chalobah's futures also uncertain, a new centre-back could be targeted.
However, reinforcing their attacking ranks with a clinical number nine is of the utmost importance to the Chelsea hierarchy, in spite of Cole Palmer's exceptional debut season and recent improvements under Pochettino.
The Blues conclude a turbulent Premier League season at home to Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, where a point will be enough to confirm a sixth-placed finish and a spot in either the Europa League or Europa Conference League next year.
Ben Knapton
