Chelsea have already begun their summer recruitment drive despite not having a manager (Picture: Getty)
Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira has warned Chelsea to ‘leave us alone’ after confirming Estevao Willian’s impending move to Stamford Bridge.
The Premier League giants parted company with Mauricio Pochettino earlier this week, but are already pressing ahead with their summer recruitment drive despite not having a new head coach in place.
Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Pochettino but the Blues will face competition from the likes of Brighton and Manchester United.
Regardless of who takes over from Pochettino, they are likely to benefit from the presence of one of Brazil’s most highly-rated young prospects.
Chelsea are understood to have already agreed a deal worth an initial €40million for the 17-year-old but that fee will rise substantially if a number of easily attainable performance related targets are met.
Estevao Willian is set to complete a move to Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
The Blues have brought in a number of young players from South America in recent times, including Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington, Angelo and 17-year-old Ecuadorian forward Kendry Paez, who will arrive in 2025 from Independiente del Valle.
Chelsea have also hired Sam Jewell from Brighton, where he was involved in their global talent-spotting network, especially in South America.
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For Palmeiras, meanwhile, the significant financial rewards they will receive from Chelsea and Real Madrid, who have already agreed a deal to sign another wunderkind, Endrick, are offset by the loss of two potential superstars.
‘Leave us alone,’ Ferreira said. ‘I hope Chelsea won’t sign any other player from us, I hope they will let us alone.
‘Please, give us a break.’
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