PSG tried to sign £29m player before he agreed to Chelsea move

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Chelsea did not get a free run at one of their recent acquisitions it seems, with Paris Saint-Germain having also tried to sign him.

Chelsea were extremely busy during the summer transfer window, bringing in more than 10 new faces.

Most of those signings were first-team additions for this season, but the club also agreed a deal with Palmeiras for Estevao Willian.

Still only 17 years old, Estevao was not able to officially join Chelsea in the summer. When he does link up with the Blues, though, it has been claimed that Estevao wants to play as a No.10.

• READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano explains why Chelsea will have to pay Palmeiras even more money for Estevao

PSG were also interested in Estevao Willian

As well as Chelsea, PSG were also keen on Estevao. In fact, according to journalist Jonathan Johnson, they tried to sign him before he eventually decided to move to Stamford Bridge.

Speaking to CaughtOffside, Johnson said: “Estevao, or ‘Messinho’ as he’s sometimes known, was another player PSG were looking at, and they made an attempt to sign him. PSG tried to do a deal with Palmeiras, but couldn’t quite come to an agreement, and for that reason they decided to focus on [Lucas] Beraldo and [Gabriel] Moscardo instead.

“Although Estevao is a highly regarded talent, it wasn’t really a position that PSG desperately needed to strengthen at that time, and so they focused on defence and midfield.”

The bosses at Chelsea will be delighted that they have landed Estevao in an initial £29m deal ahead of Luis Enrique and PSG. The winger looks like he is going straight to the top.

In 22 league appearances this season, Estevao has scored nine goals and provided seven assists. Estevao also matched a Neymar record recently, showing just how talented he is.

Chelsea had to beat PSG to Estevao Willian

Many at Chelsea would have been disappointed if they had lost out on Estevao to PSG.

Again, a player with his kind of quality, you do everything you can to sign him. That being said, it will be interesting to see how he will fit in at Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca is not exactly light on attacking options at the moment. Reports say the Brazil international is eyeing a central role, but Cole Palmer has been playing behind the striker this season.

He is Chelsea’s best player, coming up with 40 goal contributions in all competitions for the Blues last term, so if Maresca believes that is his best position, then he has to start there.