Chelsea want to sign Brazilian youngster Gabriel.
The 17-year old is currently playing for Bahia in his homeland, but the Blues want to bring him to Europe, although they face competition from Spanish side Real Valladolid.
Gabriel is a goalkeeper, who plays for the Bahia under-18 team. Although he has trained with their under-23 squad as well. He has also been called-up by Brazil at youth level.
It has been reported that contact has been made with his agents and an offer of £1.75 million made for 70% of the player’s rights.
Under FIFA rules, he will only to be able to move to Europe when he turns 18, or is he is able to get a valid European passport in the meantime.
If he does sign, he would be very much one for the future at Stamford Bridge and would initially fit into the academy set-up.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.