Chelsea willing to pay €60 million release clause for South American starlet

Transfer News: Chelsea are willing to pay the €60 million release clause for Endrick

The race for Brazilian teenage striker Endrick looks to have heated up with ESPN Brasil (h/t Metro) stating that Chelsea are willing to pay the €60 million release clause for the striker.

Endrick has become one of the most sought-after players in Europe with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain some of the top clubs in the race for his signature.

The Parisian side is believed to have had an opening offer of €45 million rejected for the 16-year-old. They have signalled their intention to raise that offer to €60 million which the Blues have also promised to meet.

But there is something else the report adds that will come as music to the ears of Graham Potter and co. The teenager prefers a move to west London as he would like to play in the Premier League.

It comes after the Blues had ramped up their interest in the forward by inviting his family at the Cobham training ground and also enlisting the help of veteran Brazilian defender Thiago Silva to help them sell their project.

Chelsea could do with a young striker in their ranks. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cannot be considered the long-term solution, leaving Armando Broja as the only other natural strike in the team. While Broja is improving everyday, adding another will help in adding depth and increasing competition for a spot in the playing eleven.

Endrick gained promotion to the senior Palmeiras team this season. The 16-year-old has been in fine form scoring three in six appearances for his side in the Brazilian Serie A. Touted as the ‘new Neymar’, he would make a fine addition to any team that he joins.

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The striker will not be eligible to leave Palmeiras until he turns 18 in 2024. But that does not mean that the Blues leave the negotiations for later on. The other clubs are likely to up their game too and it will be wise for the west London club to seal the deal as soon as possible.