Flamengo have told Chelsea to pay £21million for young star Matheus Franca.
The Blues are currently exploring a move for the 19-year-old, who ranks among Brazilian football's top talents.
The Brazil Under-20 international is known to officials at Stamford Bridge who are increasingly turning their attention towards signing young players directly from South America following the Boehly-Clearlake takeover last year.
Angelo Gabriel, 18, will soon join Chelsea from Santos for £12.8m before joining partner club RC Strasbourg on loan.
Andrey Santos joined from Vasco da Gama for £16m in January and is currently training with the first team, while £17.5m signing Kendry Paez, 16, has been secured from Independiente del Valle. Paez will have to wait until his eighteenth birthday in 2025, however, before completing his move to English football.
The moves to sign top youth talent exists alongside first-team recruitment, with Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo currently the priority.
A second midfielder could join the club with Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga and Southampton's Romeo Lavia on the shortlist.
Chelsea are assessing whether to enter the market for a goalkeeper with Inter Milan's Andre Onana now in advanced talks with Manchester United.
New manager Mauricio Pochettino remains open to working with current no1 Kepa Arrizabalaga next season.
