Chelsea close in on £18.3m signing of Brazil wonderkid as Thiago Silva gets in touch to push transfer through

CHELSEA and Monaco are locked in a tug of war over Brazilian striker sensation Deivid Washington.

The Blues are keen to pay an initial £18.3million for the striker, 18, with his club Santos ready to cash in on a Chelsea offer for the second time this summer after selling Angelo Gabriel for £13m.

Chelsea are keeping tabs on Santos wonderkid Deivid WashingtonAlamy

Chelsea have asked Thiago Silva to help them sign Washington this summerAP

Washington and his family prefer a move to England, even though it is expected the striker would then be off to Strasbourg on loan for this season rather than being integrated into Maurico Pochettino’s squad.

But Monaco, who have a Brazilian sporting director in Thiago Scuro, are refusing to give up the hunt and are set to try to outbid Chelsea.

Despite that, Chelsea are in the box seat.

Washington is represented by agent Giuliano Bertolucci, who also took Angelo to Stamford Bridge – although he is already poised for a loan move to the Ligue 1 sister side.

Sources close to the Washington family confirmed they want the move to England despite concerns about his young age.

However, they will NOT kick up a fuss if Santos agree a fee with the French club.

Both Angelo and defender Thiago Silva have been in touch to “sell” Chelsea to the player.

Chelsea may have to pay an excess to land the youngster, though, as Santos own only 70 per cent of his rights with other investors having a 30 per cent share.

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Prem and FA rules mean Chelsea will have to buy the full ownership for the deal to be ratified.

The Blues would be buying potential rather than proven goalscoring, although the 6ft 3in striker has also been targeted by Real Madrid, city neighbours Atletico and Borussia Dortmund.

Washington has scored just two senior goals in 16 appearances for Santos, although he led the line for Brazil in the recent Under-20 World Cup and was a consistent scorer at youth level.

His potential sale has infuriated the Santos fans, whose anger increased when he was left out of the squad for Saturday’s match with Atletico Paranaense.

Washington told his family: “I am out of this game. Orders of the President of Santos!”