Chelsea Transfer News: Conte set to hijack £44 million Brazilian ace from Barcelona’s reach

According to reports, Chelsea are interested in snapping up Gremio ace Arthur, with the Brazilian also linked with a transfer to Barcelona.

Arthur, 21, was spotted wearing a Barcelona shirt last weekend, which would mean that it may be tough for the Blues to swoop in and sign him instead.

However, as per The Mirror, the West London club are keen on the Brazilian ace, who is thought to have a £44million buyout clause in his current deal.

The youngster has surely made an impression at a youthful age for Gremio, and will have the hopes of breaking into the Brazil National senior side going forward to prove himself as a prominent figure for club and National team.

It’s no big surprise that the starlet is attracting interest from clubs around Europe, although he could be identified as a like-for-like successor to Spaniard Cesc Fabregas.

Aside from the Spain international turning 31-years-old next year, the former Barcelona star has just a year remaining on his existing contract after this campaign, at which point the midfielder could leave for nothing.

If no new contract is signed, the Premier League Champions will have a huge role to fill and so they have probably started the search for an early replacement in a department with top players like French duo of N’Golo Kante, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Englishman Danny Drinkwater fighting for playing time.