Chelsea ready to make offer in excess of €55m to sign Barcelona transfer target - Reports

Chelsea have prepared to make an offer for Brazilian prodigy Willian Estevao, who has been widely linked to Barcelona. The Blues are reportedly set to make their move with a signed cheque of €55 million in order to convince Palmeiras to hand them the youngster.

It is widely believed that Estevao's next club would be the Blaugrana, as they have been interested in the 17-year-old for a while. However, the Catalan giants have struggled with finances in recent years, and they now seem to have fallen down the pecking order of suitors.

According to a new report from Fabrizio Romano (via Barca Universal), Chelsea are prepared to make an offer to Palmeiras. While their Spanish counterparts are clutching their figurative purses to manage funds, the Blues have had large amounts of funds at their disposal since Todd Boehly's takeover. This has seen them prepare a €55 million bid for Estevao.

The English giants are expected to move for their potential future talent with aggressiveness, similar to how they signed current striker Nicolas Jackson. It is also expected that add-ons relating to Estevao's future performances at Stamford Bridge will be included in the deal to sign him.

The right-winger has been an exciting talent in Palmeiras colors, scoring seven times and providing three assists in 21 appearances across all competitions this season. He has shone since coming through their academy, with his quality getting him called up to the Brazil U-17 team, where he has played five games and scored thrice.

---

Barcelona manager Xavi rubbishes defender's transfer links to Chelsea

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has rubbished any claims about a potential summer move for Ronald Araujo, who has been linked to Chelsea in recent times. The defender has widely impressed at Camp Nou, but with their current financial state in general disarray, he is expected to be sold to raise funds for the club.

However, as far as Xavi Hernandez is concerned, the defender is pleased with life at the club, and an exit does not look to be on the cards. The manager made this clear, telling the press (via The Chelsea Chronicle):

“I always talk with Roni and he knows what I think. There are zero doubts on his future on my side. He knows what I want for his future and he’s happy here.”

The Barcelona manager has trusted Araujo through much of their trophyless season. The defender has played 24 games in La Liga, in which the club conceded only 26 goals, as he helped them keep eight clean sheets.

Araujo also helped Barcelona's UEFA Champions League run to the quarter-finals by making eight appearances. However, he picked up a red card early in the second leg against Paris-Saint Germain, which saw the Blaugrana struggle and eventually get knocked out 6-4 on aggregate.