Chelsea secure major advantage over Arsenal & Man City in £21.4m wonderkid race

Chelsea have signed numerous teenagers over the last year or so as Todd Boehly looks to lay the foundations for a successful future at Stamford Bridge

According to Brazilian publication UOL, Corinthians were in talks with Chelsea over the transfer of the teenage sensation. Moscardo, who sees his contract at the Neo Quimica Arena expire in 2026, has featured 11 times for Timão this year following his impressive performances for the under-20 side.

Despite his bit part role in Corinthians' campaign, Moscardo has reportedly caught the attention of the Blues. UOL added that Chelsea's latest offer was worth around €21million (£18m) up front, plus an additional €4m (£3.4m) in add-ons.

It's said that Corinthians were offered a 10 per cent sell-on fee. With Moscardo yet to turn 18, he wouldn't have been able to join Chelsea this summer even if a deal had been agreed so Timão were also given the security of a loan until June 2024.

Boehly might regret not wrapping up a deal sooner, with Brazilian publication Lance claiming that Chelsea now face tough competition from Barcelona, City and Arsenal. The report states that the Gunners 'sought information' about Moscardo after his debut for Corinthians two months ago, while La Liga and Premier League champions have been following him since his emergence in the academy.

While the Blues may be up against three league title contenders, Lance have revealed that Moscardo shares the same agent – Giuliano Bertolucci – as Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington. The duo joined Chelsea from Santos in the summer, with the former shipped out on loan to Strasbourg and the latter staying with the first-team squad.

Once Moscardo turns 18 later this month he'll be available for an overseas transfer, meaning the west Londoners, Arsenal, City and Barcelona could sign him as early as January. If Corinthians manage to rake in €25m (£21.4m) for the teenager then it would be a club-record sale.

The Brazilian outfit's biggest sale so far is Paulinho, who joined Tottenham ten years ago for a fee just short of €20million, according to Transfermarkt. The former Spurs midfielder's sale is closely followed by Pedrinho, who joined Benfica in 2020/21, Carlos Tevez, who joined West Ham in 2006/07, and Javier Mascherano, who also joined the Hammers in the same window.