Antonio Conte ‘in talks’ to sign Brazilian wonderkid for Chelsea

Chelsea’s already strong youth contingent may have a new addition as the club is reportedly looking to sign 19-year-old Brazilian Thiago Maia.

The midfielder currently plays for Santos, a club that produced Pele and Barcelona’s Neymar, but he will be on show in Rio this summer at the Olympic Games.

According to reports in Brazil, Maia’s agent Kia Joorabchian is trying to push the deal through for around £15 million ($20 million), despite the player being contracted to Santos until 2019.

Chelsea is also believed to have been interested in signing Gabriel Barbosa, another 19-year-old from Santos, who will feature in Brazil’s Olympic squad.