Crystal Palace are finalising a deal to sign highly-rated Flamengo star Matheus Franca as Eagles seek replacement for Wilfried Zaha
- Matheus Franca is among the highest rated young midfielders in Brazil
- The Brazilian midfielder was previously linked with a move to Chelsea
- Crystal Palace are now said to be finalising a deal to sign the 19-year-old star
Crystal Palace have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Flamengo's highly-rated midfielder Matheus Franca.
The Brazilian midfielder was previously linked with a move to Chelsea, as they were keen for the 19-year-old talent to bolster their midfield options this summer.
The young star is keen to join the Premier League side and his pressing desire to play in England put a number of clubs on high alert, including Crystal Palace.
The Eagles have made proposals for the Flamengo star who is valued at around £22 million. However, they will face stiff competition from Chelsea.
But, a move to Selhurst Park may be favourable for Franca as it's unlikely he would be handed an immediate place in the starting XI at Chelsea.
![Crystal Palace have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Flamengo star Matheus Franca](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/30/19/73776153-12354241-Crystal_Palace_are_now_reported_to_be_finalising_a_deal_to_sign_-m-63_1690743096895.jpg)
Crystal Palace have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Flamengo star Matheus Franca
![The young star is keen to join the Premier League and his pressing desire to play in England put a number of clubs on high alert, including Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/30/20/73776831-12354241-image-a-73_1690743982805.jpg)
The young star is keen to join the Premier League and his pressing desire to play in England put a number of clubs on high alert, including Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace
The Brazilian star has garnered a lot of interest from Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and Newcastle - who look to bolster their squad ahead of next season's Champions League campaign.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe originally showed interest in the young midfielder in December 2022, as they looked to beat rivals ahead of this year's January transfer window.
The teenage sensation was being watched by a host of top European teams after having a breakthrough year in 2022, scoring six goals in 24 games in all competitions for Flamengo.
Having spent his youth career at the Brazilian side, Franca has made over 50 appearances for the club and scored nine goals.
In his first year as a professional, Franca went on to win the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Libertadores, which sparked teams' interests.
This season he has struggled to match previous strong performances, scoring just once in nine Serie A appearances, although the Brazil Under-20 star remains one of the highest rated young players in his home country.
Chelsea were the first to express interest in Franca, though it appears that Selhurst Park would provide a better home for the midfielder given Wilfried Zaha's departure to Turkish side Galatasaray.
While Franca is evidently a brightly talented and exciting midfielder, the 19-year-old would not be able to fill in as a number nine for Chelsea, the most obvious hole in Mauricio Pochettino's current squad.
Nevertheless, the Blues have recruited a number of exciting additions to their squad. In June, Chelsea confirmed the signing of Christopher Nkunku for a £53m fee from RB Leipzig on the back of 58 goals in the last two seasons.
Later in the month, they unveiled Nicolas Jackson as their next forward addition on a £32m deal from Villarreal. The youngster scored an impressive nine goals in his last eight games of the 2022/23 season.
![Zaha announced his departure from Crystal Palace in July after 18 years at the London club](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/30/20/73776813-12354241-image-m-72_1690743789336.jpg)
![Zaha made a move to Turkish Super Lig'de Galatasaray on a three-year deal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/30/20/73776879-12354241-image-m-70_1690743745456.jpg)
Chelsea originally showed interest in Franca, though Selhurst Park would provide a better home for the midfielder given Wilfried Zaha's departure to Turkish side Galatasaray.
![The 19-year-old was previously of interest to Newcastle, with West Ham also known admirers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/30/19/73776151-12354241-image-a-64_1690743131134.jpg)
The 19-year-old was previously of interest to Newcastle, with West Ham also known admirers
![Chelsea unveiled Nicolas Jackson as their latest signing on a £32m deal from Villarreal after his impressive season saw him score nine goals in his last eight games of the 2022-23 campaign](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/30/20/73776867-12354241-Chelsea_unveiled_Nicolas_Jackson_as_their_latest_signing_on_a_32-m-75_1690744059946.jpg)
Chelsea unveiled Nicolas Jackson as their latest signing on a £32m deal from Villarreal after his impressive season saw him score nine goals in his last eight games of the 2022-23 campaign
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