Chelsea is attempting to move to the front of the line of the Endrick sweepstakes. The 16-year-old Brazilian phenom is currently one of the most sought-after teenage talents in the sport. Reports are suggesting that the Premier League club recently invited the player’s family to their training facility.
The Times claims Endrick and his family traveled to the Cobham training ground. Fellow Brazilian Thiago Silva also apparently met with the youngster at the facility. The 38-year-old central Brazil legend has over 100 appearances for country and will soon be heading to his fourth World Cup.
Chelsea are supposedly confident in signing Endrick after his London visit went well. The Blues have revamped their recruitment team in recent months since new owner Todd Boehly took over. Boehly hired Joe Shields as the co-director of recruitment and talent.
Shields previously held a similar position at fellow Premier League club Southampton. The Saints are widely known to be one of the best teams in England to identify young prospects.
Chelsea one of many clubs trying to sign Endrick
However, Chelsea will still face stiff competition from other big clubs to sign Endrick. Ajax, Arsenal, Barcelona, Benfica, Liverpool, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid have all reportedly shown interest in the youngster.
Endrick’s father is also reportedly representing his son in these preliminary decisions with other teams. As he is just 16, Endrick cannot officially move to another club until his 18th birthday in the summer of 2024. However, he can technically agree a deal with a team in early 2023. The winning club will just have to wait an additional year to actually introduce the player.
Endrick already has impressive statistics
The youngster recently became the youngest player to ever feature in a senior match with Palmeiras. Endrick also scored his first Brazilian Serie A goal after coming on as a halftime substitution a few weeks later. The center forward netted twice in just 11 minutes in this particular match. Endrick has racked up 165 goals in 169 academy games with Palmeiras.
Although a transfer fee for Endrick has obviously not yet been determined, it will certainly be a significant package. Fellow teenage Brazilian phenom Vinicius Junior previously set Real Madrid back about $45 million in 2018.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Fotoarena
