Another club runs into Chelsea obstacle – Brazilian youngster interest grows

Chelsea appear to be facing another obstacle in their attempts to find a new club for Deivid Washington, with another Brazilian side discovering exactly why a deal is proving so difficult this summer.

Atlético Mineiro have identified the 21-year-old striker as a target, but the move is already being viewed internally as complicated because of Chelsea’s stance on his future.

According to Radio ItatiaiaAtlético see Deivid Washington as a player with significant potential and would like to bring him in. The problem is that the Brazilian club are looking for a loan, while Chelsea continue to push for a permanent sale.

That difference in approach has left the move stuck before talks have really had the chance to develop.

Chelsea refusing to budge

We have already covered interest from Flemish and CFG’s Bahiaall of whom explored the possibility of signing Deivid Washington after it became clear he was unlikely to feature in Chelsea’s plans.

Like Atlético Mineiro, those clubs were looking at loan solutions. Chelsea, meanwhile, have consistently preferred a permanent transfer.

That has become the recurring theme around the striker’s future. Clubs remain interested, but the format Chelsea are demanding keeps getting in the way.

Chelsea paid around €15m (£13m) to sign Deivid Washington from Santos in 2023 after he emerged as one of the Brazilian club’s brightest academy products. The move hasn’t worked out as hoped, though.

The forward has spent most of his time with Chelsea’s U21s and has only been handed limited opportunities with the senior side. Last year he returned to Santos on loan in the hope of rebuilding his career, but that spell also failed to provide the breakthrough he needed.

Another admirer, same obstacle

Deivid Washington made 20 appearances during his return to Santos, scoring once, and is now looking for the right move to get regular football again.

Atlético believe there’s plenty of talent still to unlock, which explains why they’ve joined the growing list of Brazilian clubs keeping tabs on him.

Even so, Itatiaia explain that the club’s own hierarchy already view a deal as difficult because the two sides are approaching the negotiations from completely different angles.

For Atlético, a loan is the only realistic route. For Chelsea, a permanent sale remains the objective.

Interest certainly isn’t lacking, with another Brazilian club now joining the race, but Chelsea’s insistence on selling him outright continues to shrink the list of realistic destinations.

Unless there’s movement from one side or the other, Deivid Washington may have to wait a little longer before his next move finally falls into place.