The Top Flight
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Manchester United and Chelsea both eyeing young Brazilian phenom

By Evan Curnew

PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 21: Luis Guilherme of Palmeiras controls the ball during the match between Gremio and Palmeiras as part of Brasileirao 2023 at Arena do Gremio Stadium on September 21, 2023 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro H. Tesch/Getty Images)
PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL - SEPTEMBER 21: Luis Guilherme of Palmeiras controls the ball during the match between Gremio and Palmeiras as part of Brasileirao 2023 at Arena do Gremio Stadium on September 21, 2023 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro H. Tesch/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea made it evident this past summer transfer window that their football strategy will look towards the future. The club under Todd Boehly has made plenty of young signings, with some being ready for the first-team right away but also some players heading out on loan. Chelsea has also done plenty of scouting in South America, notably Brazil. In the last two transfer windows alone, the club has signed U20 talents Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel.

The club could return to the Brasileirao for a fourth time in just a year as reports link the Blues to a top Brazilian prospect. As reported by Fabrizio Romano via his YouTube channel, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich are all keeping an eye on Palmeiras’ Luis Guilherme. Romano says that to date, there is no bid from any team, but Chelsea, among others, have scouts watching Guilherme. The expectation is that Palmeiras will command a fee similar in structure to what Real Madrid paid for young striker Endrick. That transfer included many add-ons that could see the deal rise much higher than the original fixed fee.

Luis Guilherme is a 2006-born attacking midfielder who joined Palmeiras’ academy in 2017. Guilherme first made his name in Brazilian football when playing for the Palmeiras U20 side in the Copinha, a Sao Paulo-based youth tournament. This Brasileirao Serie A season, Luis Guilherme has made himself a regular for the Palmeiras senior side, as well as earning minutes in the Copa Libertadores until the club’s semi-final exit to Boca Juniors.

Given Guilherme does not turn 18 until February 2024, should he make a move in January, he will not officially be able to join his new club until the summer of 2024. It will be a situation to monitor for both Manchester United and Chelsea fans as they could both be battling each other in the future for the signature of Guilherme.

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