Chelsea are continuing to build with young talent and have now turned their attention to FC Porto winger William Gomes ahead of the summer window.
The Brazilian has emerged as a serious option for the Blues, with recruitment staff keeping a close watch on his development in Portugal.
That interest has already moved beyond casual monitoring. Chelsea officials were present in midweek when Porto faced Nottingham Forest, using the opportunity to assess William Gomes in person.
That visit now looks even more relevant given fresh claims from Brazil that the London club could soon make a decisive move.
Rising form driving interest
William Gomes’ performances this season have played a major role in accelerating interest from England. The winger has featured in 40 matches across all competitions, scoring 13 goals and adding two assists.
Those numbers underline his growing importance in Porto’s attack. They also reflect a player who has adapted quickly since arriving in Europe, after leaving São Paulo at the start of 2025.
Chelsea were already linked with him a couple of years ago, when he was still playing at São Paulo’s youth academy in Brazil. A few months later, the Brazilian club accepted a fee of around £7.7m (€9m) from Porto. São Paulo still hold a 20% sell-on clause, which adds another layer to any potential transfer.
Chelsea’s model under their current ownership has consistently prioritised young players with high upside. William Gomes fits that profile. He offers pace, directness and a willingness to attack defenders – traits the club continues to target.
Big fee mentioned as Premier League clubs circle
William Gomes is now expected to receive a formal approach from the Premier League in the summer, according to journalist João Pedro Cunha.
The reported figure is around £55.8m (€65m) plus bonuses, with Chelsea described as the club leading the race at this stage.
Arsenal are also credited with interest, while another English side remains unnamed. That creates the possibility of a broader Premier League battle if Porto open the door to a sale.
For Chelsea, the timing makes sense. The club are expected to continue reshaping their attacking options, and adding another young winger would align with their long-term strategy.
What happens next
William Gomes’ situation is now one to watch closely as the window approaches.
Chelsea have already taken the step of scouting him live, which usually signals genuine intent rather than background tracking. If the reported valuation holds, any deal would represent a major investment.
Porto, meanwhile, are under no immediate pressure to sell, but the scale of the figures involved could test that stance.
The coming weeks should clarify whether Chelsea convert interest into a concrete offer. If they do, this could quickly develop into one of the more notable moves involving a Brazilian talent heading to the Premier League.