Chelsea agree deal for their first signing of the summer window but there's a catch

Chelsea have agreed their first signing of the summer transfer window, although the deal contains a catch.

It has been a strange season for Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino's side spent much of the campaign wallowing in mid-table, yet a late season surge ended with them sneaking into Europe with a sixth-place finish.

Regardless, it will not represent a satisfactory return for the more than £1 billion owner Todd Boehly has spent on transfers over the past two years.

Chelsea have spent heavily on talented youngsters, many of whom have failed to convince at Stamford Bridge.

The Stamford Bridge club are't going to abandon that approach though, and have now agreed a deal that will be completed when the summer transfer window opens.

Chelsea have agreed to sign 17-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian from Palmeiras for an initial fee of £29m.

The deal for the winger - who was only promoted to the Palmeiras first-team in January - could rise to £55m with a number of performance related add-ons.

However, Estevao won't be able to link up with his new teammates until he turns 18 in April 2025.

Estevao is considered one of the best young talents in Brazil, although his emergence has been somewhat overshadowed by the stunning rise of Real Madrid-bound Endrick.

Estevao Willian will join Chelsea from Palmeiras. (Getty)

Chelsea have signed several young talents from South America over the last few years, including Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington, Angelo and Kendry Paez who will also arrive at Stamford Bridge in 2025.

Chelsea have got their eye on several other youngsters in South America, something that looks set to continue for a while at least.

They recently appointed Sam Jewell as their director of global recruitment, who regularly scoured South America for young talents while at former club Brighton.

Chelsea are expected to add even more young weapons to their squad over the summer.