Estevao’s agent, Andre Cury, has revealed that Chelsea managed to beat several other top European clubs to the signing of the Brazilian wonderkid, thanks largely to the Premier League’s financial capacity.
Chelsea signed the teenager last year in a deal that could rise to £57.6 million. However, since Estevao doesn’t turn 18 until this Thursday, he won’t be eligible to officially join the Blues until the summer transfer window.
Despite not having made the move yet, Estevao has already developed into one of the most exciting attacking talents in South America. The Palmeiras starlet, who operates primarily on the right flank, finished last season with the highest combined total of goals and assists in Brazil’s top division.
His potential was clear even before his breakout campaign. At the time of his agreement with Chelsea, reports suggested the London club had fended off interest from several European giants, including Barcelona and Real Madrid. In a recent interview with AS, Cury also listed Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich as clubs who expressed strong interest.
Ultimately, though, Chelsea’s superior spending power made them the only club truly capable of sealing the deal.
“Negotiating is very difficult these days due to the [financial] fair play issue,” Cury explained. “Those who don’t have the money to invest want to do it to get immediate results. Imagine this: Chelsea signed Estevao a year ago; they’ve waited a year to be able to enjoy him now, in July.”
Pressed further on why a deal couldn’t be reached with Barcelona, especially considering Cury had previously facilitated Neymar’s transfer from Santos to the Catalan club. “There’s no money to do this in Spain,” the Brazilian agent bluntly replied. “They can’t wait.”
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