Estevao transfer bombshell as agent reveals Chelsea star's 'agreed' move to rival club

Chelsea claimed a 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League with Estevao Willian on the score sheet

Estevao Willian's agent has revealed how close the Chelsea star came to joining Barcelona before completing a move to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues agreed a deal to sign Estevao from Palmeiras in the summer of 2024 in a deal worth an initial £29million, which could rise to £55million with add-ons.

Estevao went on to spend the next 12 months at Palmeiras before officially becoming a Chelsea player in the summer, where he faced the Blues for the Brazilian club in the FIFA Club World Cup before his move.

Tuesday night saw Estevao take centre stage for Chelsea as he scored in their 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League, with Liam Delap also on the score sheet that also saw a Jules Kounde own goal.

With Estevao getting plenty of attention for his performance against Barcelona, the player's agent has spoken about how close the forward actually came to moving to the Camp Nou instead of Stamford Bridge.

“In 2018, I started preparing reports on Estevao. In 2019, I took Abidal to Brazil to see him play," Cury said on Cadena SER, via Sport.

"Even at 11 years old, it was clear he would be something special. We spoke with Barca about Estevao in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, after I left the club.

"We offered the player because we believed he had a very bright future, but Barca's finances weren't in good shape.

"The technical staff always approved the signing, but Deco [Barcelona director of football], with whom we met more than once, is very close to the club because their financial situation didn't allow them to complete this operation."

Cury also offered somewhat of a warning to Chelsea, claiming that Estevao still has a close connection to Barcelona.

It has been claimed by Curry that Estevao "now has a contract and is enjoying himself at Chelsea," before going on to say that the Blues star "has a special affection for Barca."

Estevao's goal against Barcelona has led to the Chelsea star being compared to Lionel Messi. However, Blues boss Enzo Maresca explained why he does not think such comparisons are helpful.

"The goal from Estevao reminded me of the goal he scored against us in the Club World Cup, that is very similar, same action," Maresca said.

"Estevao needs to relax, he needs to enjoy, he needs to session, he needs to play football. Him, Lamine [Yamal], they are so young, 18, that if you start to talk about Messi, Ronaldo, I think it's too much pressure for young boys like them.

"[At] 18, they need to enjoy, they need to arrive at the training ground happy. But when you start to compare them with Messi or with Ronaldo, I think it's too much for them."