Chelsea have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with 17-year-old Brazilian right-back Pedro Lima, leaving Real Madrid in the dust. The West London club have been closely monitoring Lima's progress through their extensive South American scouting network.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea and Lima's representatives have agreed on personal terms, with the player's camp satisfied with the proposal put forward by the Blues. The final details of the transfer are being ironed out, as negotiations between Chelsea and Lima's current club, Sport Recife, continue. The transfer fee is expected to be in the region of €7 million (£6 million).
Real Madrid, a club renowned for their ability to attract top Brazilian talent, such as Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and the recently acquired Endrick, have also expressed interest in securing Lima's signature. However, Chelsea appear to have the upper hand, with the player seemingly leaning towards a move to Stamford Bridge.
Marcelo Barros, Sport Recife's sporting director, recently confirmed to the media that several clubs have shown interest in Lima, with advanced negotiations taking place with one particular club. This revelation further solidifies Chelsea's position as the front-runners in the race to sign the teenage sensation.
While Chelsea supporters may be eager to see Lima showcasing his skills at Stamford Bridge, they will likely have to wait a bit longer. Reports suggest that the Brazilian teenager will initially join Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg on loan, following in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Angelo Gabriel and Andrey Santos, who have also spent time with the Ligue 1 side.
Despite his young age, Lima has already made a name for himself with his impressive performances for both Sport Recife and Brazil's youth teams. The 17-year-old has featured in 29 matches for Sport Recife's senior team, contributing four goals and assists, despite only being promoted to the first team at the start of 2024.
The pursuit of Lima aligns perfectly with Chelsea's strategy of acquiring the best young talent from around the world, particularly rising South American starlets.
With Reece James, Chelsea's current first-choice right-back, being prone to injuries, Lima could provide valuable cover and competition in the long run.
The news of Chelsea's agreement with Lima comes as a significant blow to Real Madrid, who have a history of securing top Brazilian talent. However, with the Blues leading the race and the transfer seemingly in its final stages, it appears that the West London club have pulled off a major coup in the transfer market.
It is clear that the Blues are building a formidable squad for the future, filled with some of the most promising young talents from around the globe.