Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Corinthians midfielder Gabriel Moscardo, who is also on the radar of Liverpool and Arsenal.
The South American, 18, is attracting interest from Europe’s elite clubs ahead of the January transfer window. The Blues had an £18m bid for him rejected in the summer but are set to revive their interest in January.
According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea are prepared to battle with Liverpool and Arsenal for the signing of Corinthians’ teenage prodigy Gabriel Moscardo.
Moscardo has become one of the most highly sought-after youngsters in the transfer market this year. The Brazilian youth international rose through the ranks at Corinthians before breaking into the club’s senior squad. He made his first-team debut earlier this year and has not taken long to become a regular in the first team, making 25 appearances across all competitions so far this campaign.
The report adds Corinthians will wait until after their presidential elections on November 25 before they discuss any potential deal for the 18-year-old midfielder, who could cost around £26million.
Gabriel Moscardo to Chelsea—Good option for Mauricio Pochettino?
Since being bought by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, Chelsea have focused on investing in young talents with huge potential. Under the Boehly-Clearlake regime, they have signed plenty of stars for the future alongside acquiring players to make immediate impacts. The Pensioners have paid huge attention to the Brazilian market and have signed two Brazilian starlets—Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama and Deivid Washington from Santos.
The Blues have now shifted their focus towards poaching Gabriel Moscardo, who is viewed as one of the hottest prospects in South America. To be fair, Chelsea were interested in signing Moscardo in the past summer transfer window but Corinthians were reluctant to sell him. However, with Brazilian Série A season’s ending in a couple weeks, and Corinthians have four games left to maintain their top-flight status, the teenager could move on in the New Year.
Chelsea faces a huge fight from clubs across Europe to acquire Moscardo’s signature. He would fit in right at Stamford Bridge, given he is just 18 and showing great promise in Brazil. The prodigy has made a mark in Corinthians and shown he can compete with the big boys. Pochettino has a great track record for nurturing young talents, and honing his skills and fulfilling sky-high potential under the Chelsea boss could be something Moscardo would find difficult to turn down.
Corinthians are in no rush to sell the youngster and may promise him regular game time. Young and inexperienced, Moscardo may not be able to bulldoze his way into Chelsea’s first-team plans straightaway, which may seem like a significant factor in deciding his future. Nonetheless, given how the west London club have operated in the transfer market of late, an offer for the Corinthians midfielder could arrive in the winter window.