Chelsea exploring transfer deal for defender likened to Real Madrid legend

Chelsea are battling it out with Barcelona to sign Santos wonderkid Souza, who is being dubbed ‘the new Marcelo’.

Souza, 18, quickly stood out having joined Santos’ academy ranks at the age of just nine and has since established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in Brazilian football.

In February, Souza was called up to Santos’ senior side for the first time and the left-back made his debut for his boyhood team as a second-substitute against Mirassol.

Souza has gone on to nail down his place as a regular in Santos’ starting XI and his outstanding performances have not gone unnoticed among some of Europe’s elite clubs.

According to Spanish publication AS, Barcelona and Chelsea have been alerted to Souza’s extraordinary talent and both sides are ‘exploring the possibility’ of luring the youngster away from Santos.

The report claims Souza, who is renowned for his frightening turn of pace and trickery, has also received an informal offer from a team in the Saudi Pro League.

However, Santos are in no hurry to cash in on Souza and discussions are in place to secure the teenager on a new long-term contract, with his current deal due to expire next summer.

Souza played a key role in Brazil’s team that won the South American Under-17 Championship last year and the senior set-up are believed to be keeping a close eye on his development.

Since Marcelo’s retirement from international duty back in 2018, Brazil have struggled to settle on a replacement for the Real Madrid legend on the left side of defence.

The likes of Renan Lodi, Alex Telles, Ayrton Lucas and Abner Vinicius have all been handed opportunities with varying degrees of success and calls are intensifying for Souza to be given an opportunity.

Chelsea have made a serious effort to target the South American market under Todd Boehly and secured the services of two of the continent’s brightest young talents in Estevao and Kendry in the summer transfer window.

The Blues have identified Souza as a possible replacement for Ben Chilwell, whose future in west London remains uncertain under new head coach Enzo Maresca.

Marc Cucurella has secured his spot as Maresca’s first-choice left-back and widespread reports indicate that Chilwell is keen to secure an escape route out of Stamford Bridge after one solitary appearance in the Carabao Cup this season.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.