Chelsea told the price they need to pay to sign Flamengo’s Matheus Franca

Flamengo demand £21m if they are to sell young midfielder Matheus Franca to Chelsea

As per the Evening Standard, Chelsea are asked to pay £21m if they want to sign young Flamengo playmaker Matheus Franca in this transfer window.

It is revealed that the Blues are exploring a move for the young Brazilian, who is touted as one of the top upcoming talents in that country. It goes in line with the transfer strategy we have followed under Todd Boehly’s ownership, of signing talented young players.

Chelsea are focusing on signing young talents from South America directly from there rather than waiting on them to become a superstar somewhere else.

Franca’s profile and game are known to the officials at the club. The 19-year-old is an attacking midfielder who can operate as a central midfielder or a second striker. The Brazil U-20 international has played 53 games in all competitions for the Flamengo senior team so far, scoring nine goals (Transfermarkt).

Franca has a lot of pace to burn and trouble the opposition defenders. He is good on the dribble and is physically a strong player on and off the ball. Although the football market is inflated, having to pay £21m for a young midfielder with no European experience is a bit too much, isn’t it?

But, we never know what will happen with Chelsea. They might just do that and send the player on loan to their sister club in France – RC Strasbourg.

Franca would not be the only midfielder the Blues sign this summer. Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is their top target even though there is a difference in price valuation between the two clubs.

Romeo Lavia is on the shortlist too. It remains to be seen whether they are intending to sign two midfielders to add to the senior squad, or focus on getting the Caicedo deal done regardless of what it costs.

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Coming back to Franca, let’s hope Chelsea have a plan after signing him. If not, there is no point in adding another young player to the books for the sake of it.