Chelsea are exploring a move to sign another Brazilian wonderkid after winning the race for Santos ace Angelo Gabriel. The Blues lodged a €15 million (£13m) bid and saw it accepted by the Brazilian outfit despite the £38m release clause in his contract.
Mauricio Pochettino has already overseen the arrival of six new players but only Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson will immediately impact the first-team picture. Deals for Kendry Paez, Dujuan Richards, Alex Matos and Diego Moreira are the remaining purchases with Paez and Richards officially joining the club in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Matos will be an addition to the academy while the immediate plan for Moreira is unknown. Those four incomings can be added to the lengthy list of young talent Chelsea are snapping up and another name looks set to be added to that list.
According to the Mail, Chelsea are exploring a move for Flamengo's highly rated midfielder Matheus Franca in a deal that could cost up to £25million. Newcastle were previously interested in the 19-year-old, but now West Ham and Crystal Palace are the two clubs linked with keeping tabs on his situation.
Flamengo were aware of interest in the January transfer window but remained firm that he would not be for sale, however that stance could change for the summer window at the right price. During that month Flamengo vice president Marco Braz offered a clear update on where Franca's future would lie.
Speaking to Vene Casagrande, he said: "We do not put Matheus Franca up for sale. He is not for sale. We are not interested negotiating for Matheus Franca at this moment." Newcastle then reportedly saw a £13.5m offer rejected, but Chelsea offering double just six months later could be tempting for Flamengo.
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Franca began his career in the Flamengo academy before arriving on the scene in the first-team squad in 2021. The teenager, who has played eight Brazilian Serie A games this season and scored one goal, is also very versatile and can thrive in most attacking positions.
This move being agreed at the quoted asking price will result in Chelsea taking their summer spending on wonderkids to just over £50m Through numerous exits, well over £100m has already been raised in funds with another £60m to arrive soon after Mason Mount completed his medical at Manchester United on Monday.
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