Spanish outlet [**AS**](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/rifa-millonaria-por-el-nuevo-marcelo-souza-f202511-n/) report Chelsea are the only club to have made a concrete move for Souza, the 19-year-old left-back emerging at Santos.
Their story explains that the Blues, acting through the BlueCo ownership group, submitted an informal approach in the summer with a plan that involved Strasbourg as the first step in his development.
According to AS, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have monitored the teenager for several months, but neither side placed an offer.
The report states that Chelsea were the only team to formalise interest in any capacity, even if the proposal did not advance to the negotiation stage.
#### Youngster has Boehly’s blessing
In October, we covered [**Brazilian sources**](https://sportwitness.co.uk/chelseas-radar-sources-claim-todd-boehlys-green-light/) claiming Todd Boehly himself gave ‘green light’ to sign him. In that context, a new offer might be on the table.
BlueCo’s idea would have been to secure the player early and allow him to adapt in Ligue 1 before assessing a Premier League transition.
Souza is under contract at Santos until December 2028 and has a release clause of €15m. The Brazilian club, however, are not open to a sale before the end of the current season, especially as they fight to avoid relegation.
AS add that Santos previously rejected an approach from Saudi Arabia and continue to see the youngster as one of their most valuable prospects.
#### A reliable asset for any side
Despite the difficult context, Souza has kept his place under three different managers this year and has shown enough to attract consistent European attention.
His profile as a tall, quick full-back with attacking ambition fits the model favoured by English clubs, which explains why Chelsea moved earlier than the rest.
What comes next will depend on the market conditions and on BlueCo’s long-term plan for the position, but the London side have already taken the first step.
Further developments will be shaped by Santos’ situation and by how much pressure the relegation fight places on their planning.