Michael Olise might not be moving to Chelsea this summer, but owner Todd Boehly has wasted little time making a contingency plan with one deal already announced
Chelsea have moved on from Michael Olise after the winger’s decision to join Bayern Munich, confirming their acquisition of Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian.
The teenager, currently at Palmeiras, will spend another year in Brazil before moving to Stamford Bridge next summer. Chelsea have officially announced the deal, thought to be worth an initial £28million, and Canada star Jonathan David could be next after the Blues opened talks.
“Chelsea Football Club has agreed a deal to sign teenage forward Estevao Willian from Palmeiras, with the Brazilian to officially join Chelsea next summer,” a club statement reads. “The 17-year-old has already built a strong reputation in South America as one of the most exciting talents around due to his skilful dribbling and electric pace, causing defences plenty of problems in his breakout season in senior football.
“Estevao has featured 10 times in the Brazilian Serie A for Palmeiras, contributing two goals and two assists, as well as also finding the net in the Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil. The exciting forward, who joins fellow Brazilians Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel at Stamford Bridge, has also featured for his nation at youth level.”
Olise’s move to the Bundesliga comes despite strong interest from Chelsea both this summer and last. A 2023 push ended when Olise signed new terms with Crystal Palace, while Bayern’s move this summer comes amid reports the Blues considered financial terms beyond their reach.
In addition to the deal for Estevao Willian, Chelsea have their eye on David. The Lille striker has been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal, with Chelsea representing a third English club to enter the mix.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea have held talks with David’s representatives. The former Gent star, who has 84 goals in 183 Lille games, has one year left on his deal with the Ligue 1 club.
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David was part of the Lille side eliminated from the 2021-22 Champions League. He failed to score in either leg of that tie but did net three times in the group stage of that season’s competition.
The Canada striker scored nine goals during qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, and 26 in all competitions last season at club level. He is part of the Canadian squad for the upcoming Copa America, where they have been drawn in a group with Argentina, Peru and Chile.
World Cup holders Argentina handed them a 2-0 defeat in the opener, thanks to second-half goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. Next up for Jesse Marsch’s team is a meeting with Peru in Kansas City on Tuesday.
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