New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino
Chelsea are ‘one step away’ from signing Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Moscardo, with a report detailing exactly when he will move to Stamford Bridge.
On Thursday, the day before the summer transfer deadline, Fabrizio Romano revealed Chelsea had submitted an ‘official bid’ to sign Moscardo from Corinthians. Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly put €21m (£18m) on the table in an attempt to bring Moscardo to England.
However, the proposal was rejected by Corinthians as they value the 17-year-old starlet at a higher sum.
Chelsea were ultimately unable to strike an agreement for Moscardo before Friday’s deadline, which meant he remained at Corinthians.
But the transfer pursuit has not ended there. As per an update from Spanish outlet Sport, Chelsea remain interested in Moscardo and will try to make him their first signing of 2024.
It is claimed that Chelsea are ‘one step away’ from reaching an agreement with Corinthians. That comes after they launched a new, improved bid worth €30m (£25.6m), which is almost certain to meet Corinthians’ demands.
Indeed, Sport claim it is only a ‘matter of hours or days’ before a full agreement is struck with the Brazilian outfit.
The transfer is likely to go through in January, though Moscardo will be loaned back to Corinthians until June 2024. After that, he will link up with Mauricio Pochettino and aim to impress his new manager.
Chelsea ruin Barcelona chances of new signing
Sport reveal how Barcelona have recently joined Chelsea in the hunt for the exciting young defensive midfielder. Barca sporting director Deco views Moscardo as a Brazilian ‘jewel’ who can eventually become their new No6.
But Barca are now braced to miss out on Moscardo’s signing to Chelsea. The report describes it as ‘unfeasible’ that Barca will manage to beat Chelsea to the capture.
Deco is essentially operating with his hands tied behind his back as Barca do not have the money to pay £25.6m for a teenager. After all, they were forced to get rid of their option to buy Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo and instead land him on a straight season-long loan.
Moscardo will soon become the latest Brazilian talent to appear on Chelsea’s books. Boehly has already snared Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel.
