Arsenal’s long-standing pursuit of Estevao Willian ended in disappointment as Chelsea swooped in to sign the Brazilian prodigy.
Despite early groundwork and multiple bids, the Gunners were outpaced by their rivals’ decisive approach, leaving Arsenal fans wondering what might have been.
The saga of Estevao Willian has come to a conclusion that will sting for Arsenal supporters. Dubbed “Messinho” in his homeland of Brazil due to his diminutive stature and left-footed brilliance, the 17-year-old prodigy is heading to Chelsea, despite years of Arsenal interest and several attempts to bring him to North London.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Estevao dates back to December 2022, when we first reported the club’s growing interest in the Palmeiras starlet.
At that time, Arsenal scouts identified him as a generational talent, with one source likening his rare mix of dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring instinct to the early years of Lionel Messi.
Edu Gaspar, leveraging his strong South American connections, was thought to be central to the discussions. However, even then, Arsenal were not alone in the race. Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Barcelona were also circling, complicating Arsenal’s ability to act decisively.
The story reignited in January 2024 when Arsenal reportedly made an official bid to Palmeiras for Estevao.
According to our sources, Arsenal submitted an offer worth £20 million with additional performance-related incentives. While the bid was serious, Palmeiras deemed it insufficient, especially in the context of the growing interest from wealthier clubs.
This was costly for Arsenal, as Chelsea began to ramp up their efforts in the background.
By April 2024, Arsenal were still pushing to secure Estevao, but the landscape had shifted. Chelsea had intensified their approach, with Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley flying to Brazil to personally assess the player.
Meanwhile, Arsenal were reportedly weighing whether to make a second, higher bid after their initial offer was rejected.
However, we noted then, the club’s financial priorities were split at the time. With Arsenal heavily focused on securing key reinforcements for their Premier League and European ambitions, the club hesitated to escalate their bid to meet Palmeiras’ demands for such a young player.
This allowed Chelsea to pounce.
By May 2024, Chelsea had reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Palmeiras, and Arsenal were left scrambling. While Arsenal did attempt one last push to hijack the move, Chelsea’s willingness to commit £29 million upfront, with an additional £12 million in add-ons, ultimately secured the teenager’s signature.
Arsenal’s failure to close the deal is especially frustrating given the lengths they went to establish early contact with Estevao.
Back in 2022, Arsenal were among the first European clubs to register serious interest. They were also reportedly keen to leverage Gabriel Martinelli, who had taken a similar pathway from Brazil to North London and flourished under Mikel Arteta. Arsenal hoped Martinelli’s success could sway Estevao’s decision, but Chelsea’s financial muscle proved decisive.
Chelsea’s sporting directors acted with urgency, keen to avoid another missed opportunity after failing to sign Endrick, Estevao’s former Palmeiras teammate, who opted for Real Madrid after also being linked with Arsenal. The Gunners, by contrast, seemed to lack the same conviction. Despite their early groundwork and Edu’s efforts, Arsenal were ultimately priced out of the race by a Chelsea side that demonstrated greater decisiveness and resources.
Estevao’s talent is undeniable. At just 17, he broke Neymar’s record for combined goals and assists in the Brazilian top flight. His manager at Palmeiras, Abel Ferreira, called him “different from everything I’ve ever seen.” Brazilian legend Branco, who scouts young talent for the national team, went even further, declaring Estevao the best Brazilian-born player since Neymar.
Estevao’s impending arrival at Stamford Bridge is expected to strengthen Chelsea’s long-term ambitions. He is expected to compete for a first-team place next season and has already been tipped as a future Ballon d’Or contender.
Arsenal fans, meanwhile, will wonder what might have been.
Estevao’s ability to play off the wing or as a No. 10 would have offered Mikel Arteta more attacking options in key positions, something he is sorely lacking.
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