‘Little Messi’ is set to become the most expensive South American teenage signing in history.
Estevao Willian has moved a step closer to completing his Chelsea transfer after passing a medical.
The 17-year-old completed medical checks in Brazil over the weekend and is set to join Chelsea from Palmeiras for an initial £29.5million.
The deal could rise to more than £51m.
Should the Chelsea deal hit its full range, that would make Estevao the most expensive South American teenage signing in history.
Nicknamed ‘Little Messi’, Willian is one of the most highly regarded prospects in South America and Chelsea chiefs consider him as a potential future star.
Chelsea’s new owners have targeted young South American talent from the outset of their Stamford Bridge tenure.
Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington, Angelo and Kendry Paez have all been recruited to underpin a youthful contingent designed at creating a new backbone for Chelsea’s future.
Ecuador’s Paez has been highly feted and will arrive at Stamford Bridge in 2025, from Independiente del Valle.
