Barcelona look like they are going to give Chelsea another headache this summer.
Back in the summer of 2022, Barcelona signed Raphinha from Leeds United and Jules Kounde from Sevilla respectively.
However, it was well-documented that Chelsea were interested in both of those players.
But in the end, they could not complete a deal for either and were forced to watch the winger and defender join Barcelona in the same transfer window.
Fast forward to now, and it appears that Chelsea and Barcelona could do battle with each other once again. Kounde has recently been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, but the centre-back is reportedly keen to stay where he is.
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Signing young players with high potential has been Chelseas policy since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over the club in 2022.
That does not look like it is going to change, but one youngster who they are thought to be interested in may be heading to the Spotify Camp Nou.
According to the Daily Mirror, Chelsea have been trying to sign Estevao Willian since October, but Barcelona are growing increasingly confident that they will win the race for the Palmeiras winger.
He will not come cheap, with the 16-year-olds release clause set at £51m.
There is no guarantee that either Chelsea or Barcelona will land Estevao in the next transfer window.
The same report from the Daily Mirror claims that both clubs would struggle to complete a big-money signing at this moment in time because of their financial records.
Chelsea do have players that they can sell to help the club with its situation.
Noni Madueke, for example, is starting to get a bit frustrated with his lack of game time, according to journalist Simon Phillips. That is one man who Chelsea could possibly sell this summer to make a bit of money.
However, getting rid of Madueke may not be the smartest idea. The winger has shown promise since arriving at Stamford Bridge and is only 22 years of age so has time to improve.
His fantastic goal against Leicester City just before the international break was just one example of what he can do when he is on the pitch.
Barcelona now increasingly confident they’re going to beat Chelsea to £51m signing this summer – The Chelsea Chronicle – Chelsea FC News