Chelsea are set to sign highly-rated Diego Moreira from Benfica
According to reports from Portugal, Chelsea are set to sign talented youngster Diego Moreira from Benfica on a free transfer in the summer transfer window.
The Blues reportedly managed to secure a contract for Moreira despite interest from both Paris Saint-Germain and Champions League semi-finalist AC Milan, according to Record (h/t Daily Mail).
An agreement to bring the 18-year-old to West London in the summer has been nearly reached between Chelsea and Moreira, who has been recognised as one of Europe’s most brilliant youngsters. He will add to our pool of promising youngsters.
A future prodigy
The 18-year-old who was born in Liege, has developed into a promising player at Benfica. In addition, Moreira owns two citizenships and has played for Germany and Guinea-Bissau, in addition to representing Belgium and Portugal at the youth international level.
He had an opportunity that allowed him to join the Liga Portugal leaders from Standard Liege in August 2020, and the next season, at the age of 17, he received a promotion to the under-23 squad. Since then, the teenager has been a key component of his team, a consistent player for Benfica’s reserve team, and, as of the start of 2022, a member of the first team roster. He was also a member of the Benfica Young team that won the UEFA Young League in 2021–2022.
The youngster scored a goal against Bayern Munich on their road to the competition’s final, followed it up with a brace and a goal against Sporting in the quarterfinal, and two assists in their 6-0 demolition of RB Salzburg in the final. It’s the first time that Benfica’s young squad won the UEFA Young League, making them the first Benfica team at any level to do so since a 20-year-old named Eusebio led them to victory over Real Madrid in 1962.
This is what compelled Chelsea to get their hands on Moreira’s free-agent acquisition. With the right development, he has the potential to develop into a magnificent player.
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He has excelled in the Benfica junior system, and if he makes the senior team, he will have the opportunity to represent a Premier League side. It is going to require time, but with the correct mindset and winning character, he may emerge as Chelsea’s next big thing in the years to come.
