Chelsea Closing in on £10.5m Deal for Gabriel Magalhães’ 16-Year-Old Cousin

Blues Continue Their Hunt for Future Superstars

• Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Corinthians’ teenage left-back Denner
• The 16-year-old is the cousin of Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães
• Chelsea’s South American recruitment strategy continues
• Deivid Washington set to return to Santos on loan

Chelsea are on the verge of securing another promising young talent, with reports suggesting that the club is close to finalizing a £10.5m deal for Denner, a 16-year-old left-back from Corinthians. The move aligns with Chelsea’s ongoing youth-focused transfer policy, particularly in South America, under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership.

Denner: Chelsea’s Next South American Wonderkid?

According to Globo Esporte, talks between Chelsea and Corinthians are progressing, with the proposed deal structured as an initial £6.7m fee plus £3.8m in potential add-ons.

Denner, the cousin of Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhães, is regarded as one of the brightest defensive prospects in Brazil. Despite Corinthians’ reluctance to sell, they are reportedly prioritizing an overseas transfer due to a £1.4m release clause in his contract, which makes him vulnerable to a move within Brazil.

However, due to FIFA regulations, Denner will not be able to officially join Chelsea until the summer of 2026, once he turns 18.

Chelsea’s South American Talent Strategy

Chelsea’s focus on securing young South American talents has intensified in recent years. The Blues have already secured several promising stars, including:
✅ Estevão Willian (Palmeiras) – Arriving this summer for £29m
✅ Kendry Páez (Ecuador) – Agreed move from Independiente del Valle
✅ Aaron Anselmino (Boca Juniors) – Signed in January 2024

Additionally, Chelsea have previously signed Andrey Santos, Angelo Gabriel, and Deivid Washington, further strengthening their South American contingent.

Deivid Washington to Return to Santos on Loan

In other transfer news, 19-year-old striker Deivid Washington is set to return to Santos on loan. The Brazilian forward, who joined Chelsea for £17.2m in 2023, has struggled for first-team opportunities and has mainly featured for the Under-21s.

Chelsea see the loan move as a chance for Washington to gain more experience before evaluating his future role in the squad.

What’s Next for Chelsea?

With Chelsea’s aggressive youth recruitment strategy, could Denner be the next big star at Stamford Bridge? Will the Blues continue their pursuit of other South American wonderkids?

💬 What do you think about Chelsea’s transfer strategy? Should they focus more on experienced players instead? Drop your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️