Chelsea and Barcelona are reportedly vying for the signature of Santos’ rising star, João Victor de Souza, a player many consider Brazil’s next big talent.
The 18-year-old left-back has been dazzling in the Brazilian Serie B this season, drawing attention from top European clubs. According to reports from AS, both Chelsea and Barcelona have shown strong interest, with Chelsea even contemplating signing Souza and immediately loaning him to Strasbourg for further development.
Barcelona, however, also remains a key contender, as the Catalan giants seek to strengthen their defense with promising young talents. Adding to the intrigue, Souza has allegedly received an offer from Saudi Arabia, though details remain unclear.
With his current contract set to expire in May 2025, Santos is keen on extending his deal to avoid losing their homegrown talent for free. New manager Leandro Zago is expected to play a crucial role in these negotiations.
João Victor de Souza, who has been with Santos since the age of nine, burst onto the first-team scene earlier this year under former manager Fábio Carille. His standout performances have drawn comparisons to Brazilian legend Marcelo, earning him a regular spot in Brazil’s youth teams. Souza notably helped the Seleção claim victory at the U-17 South American Championship last year and also represented his nation at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
With interest from Europe mounting, the young full-back faces a potentially transformative January transfer window, as Chelsea and Barcelona prepare to battle for his services.
