According to reports, Brazilian teenage full-back Pedro Lima will soon join Strasbourg with the possibility of moving to Chelsea in the future.
The Blues have launched a scouting mission to sign the best talent South America has to offer, and Lima has been identified as a top target, with a deal worth around €7 million (£6 million) being discussed.
Real Madrid is also said to be interested in the Sport Recife right-back and hopes to swoop if Chelsea’s deal falls through, but Fabrizio Romano claims the Premier League club is now on the verge of completing the transfer.
Despite Los Blancos’ late interest, a fee is nearly agreed upon, with only the final details remaining to be worked out. However, he will not move to Stamford Bridge immediately.
Instead, Lima will join their French sister club Strasbourg, following in the footsteps of fellow Brazilians Angelo Gabriel and Andrey Santos, who spent a year on loan with the Ligue 1 side.
Chelsea signed Santos from Vasco de Gama in January 2023, then added Gabriel and Deivid Washington last summer. Kendy Paez will also complete his move to west London next year, joined by Palmeiras winger Estevao, who will cost €65 million.
BlueCo, the ownership group, is unpopular with Strasbourg supporters. Back in March, a fan group claimed that the club is now “nothing more than a financial asset,” and that “multi-club is killing football.”
Todd Boehly’s transfer strategy has sparked criticism from Chelsea fans and pundits around the world, and the club eventually finished sixth in the Premier League after a mixed season under Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine has since departed and been replaced by former Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca.
The first deal of the summer transfer window has already been confirmed, with Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo joining for free.