CHELSEA are set to sign Arsenal star Gabriel’s cousin, according to reports.
The Blues have struck an £11.5million deal with Corinthians for wonderkid Denner Evangelista.
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The 17-year-old will sign a whopping seven-year contract and make the move to Stamford Bridge when he turns 18 next year.
Denner, who is an attacking left-back, is yet to make a senior appearance for Corinthians.
But the teenager caught Chelsea‘s eye in the prestigious Copinha event involving some of the best youth sides in Sao Paulo.
Denner registered three goals and one assist in the tournament.
By moving to London, he follows the same path as his cousin Gabriel.
Brazilian media report that Denner is related to the Arsenal centre-back and he is understood to have attended one of his matches last year.
Corinthians wanted to keep Denner at the club and begin to integrate him with the first-team.
But having failed to agree an improved contract with the player, they decided to cash-in.
Corinthians have negotiated a 15 per cent sell-on clause to profit from any future sale.
Denner joins a long list of South American youngsters who have joined Chelsea.
Brazilian duo Andrey Santos, 20, and Deivid Washington, 19, are both out on loan at Strasbourg and Santos respectively.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old pair Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian are both set to join Chelsea at the end of the season.
Estevao has hit 30 goals and assists for Palmeiras this season, becoming the first to reach the milestone since Neymar in 2010.
Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino, 19. is another on Chelsea’s books and he recently recalled from a loan spell at Boca Juniors.