Barcelona are reported to have abandoned their pursuit of 16-year-old Palmeiras winger Estevao, leaving Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain as the main suitors for the teenage sensation.
Estevao, who has been nicknamed ‘Messinho’ despite admitting he does not like such a name, is widely seen as the next superstar emerging from South America, with Chelsea, PSG and Barcelona battling for his signature over the past few months.
The teenager has openly confessed his desire to join Barcelona, but according to SPORT, Estevao may have to find a move elsewhere as Barca have decided against making a move for the winger.
Barcelona are reluctant to bring in another 16-year-old right winger when they already have Lamine Yamal, who is three months younger than Estevao and already shining for Xavi’s senior squad.
By putting their faith in Yamal, Barcelona have turned down the chance to move for Estevao, leaving Chelsea and PSG alone to fight for a deal.
Further fuelling Barcelona’s decision is the fact that Palmeiras are said to be demanding Estevao’s release clause of €60m (£51m) be triggered in full – something Barca simply cannot afford to do in their current state.
Even if that sort of money could be raised through player sales, Barcelona officials do not believe it would be wise to spend so much on a player coming through in the same position as Yamal when there are other holes in the squad that need to be filled.
PSG previously failed with a double bid to sign both Estevao and Endrick before the latter agreed to join Real Madrid and could reignite their interest in the former now that Kylian Mbappe is set to depart this summer.
As for Chelsea, who were recently revealed to have hesitated when asked to trigger Endrick’s €60m clause, the Blues may have to raise their own funds this summer before making such an expensive move for a player who cannot move to Europe until the summer of 2025.
