Chelsea are reportedly in a race with Barcelona to sign the ‘new Marcelo’ after making a move for Santos this season.

Enzo Maresca Chelsea The sides are looking for a new full-back to replace fringe player Ben Chilwell in 2025.

While their first choice is Marc Cucurella, the Blues may have more competition in this area of ​​the park, especially after selling Lewis Hall to Newcastle United earlier this year.

As a result, the Stamford Bridge side signed Santos star Joao Victor de Souza, who has attracted the attention of many teams this term.

Accordingly LIKEThe 18-year-old is wanted by Todd Boehly’s Chelsea and Barcelona, ​​as well as an unnamed Saudi Pro League team.

Potential suitors are said to be keen to sign him in January, when he becomes a free agent, or next summer. Although the Brazilian Serie B team wants to extend his contract, the report states that ‘everything will depend on interim coach Leandro Zago’.

AS states that ‘A star is born in Brazil’, with some calling him the heir apparent to former Real Madrid left-back and Brazilian legend Marcelo.

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Chelsea looks after South American wonderkids

The Blues look increasingly determined to snap up some of the brightest young talent Brazil has to offer.

Chelsea confirm agreement with Brazilian top-flight team Palmeiras will transfer Estevao Willian Earlier this year, the 17-year-old is set to join Stamford Bridge when he turns 18 next summer.

Gremio wonderkid Gabriel Mec, 16, has also reportedly agreed to join Chelsea when he turns 18 in 2026. Santos talent tracks down Joao Pedro Chermont.

The Premier League side are understood to have rejected a €6m (£5m, $6.6m) offer for the youngster, but that may not have ended their interest in him.

Souza, who has now been with Santos since the age of nine, is the next Brazilian prodigy they are after. He played for Peixe after being recruited to the first team by former coach Fabio Carille and helped Brazil win the 2023 Under-17 South American title.

Souza is likely to have a very respectable career if he can have a career similar to that of Marcelo as a full-back, during which he won five Champions League titles with Madrid.

Chelsea could sign £45 million

Blues’ left back Chilwell ‘Frustrated’ by lack of game time He is under head coach Enzo Maresca and wants to leave the club in 2025, five years after joining from Leicester City. £45 million (€54 million, $56.8 million).

Reports suggest that Juventus are interested in signing the 27-year-old, whose contract runs until 2027, on loan in the January transfer window.

TEAMtalk has also exclusively revealed that Chelsea are in competition with two other Premier League teams for the Bournemouth centre-back. Illia Zabarnyi.

The 22-year-old Ukrainian football player, whose contract runs until 2029, is also wanted by Tottenham and Manchester City.

Meanwhile the midfielder Cesare Casadei looks ready to leave the club AC Milan are interested in the 21-year-old player next year. He has yet to make a Premier League appearance for the Blues since joining from Inter Milan in 2022.