Arsenal have reportedly added Chelsea’s 19-year-old Brazilian winger to their list for next year, and his frustration under Xabi Alonso could open a door that is usually shut between the two London clubs.
According to transfer reporter Graeme Bailey, Estêvão has emerged as a target for Arsenal, who are keen on bringing him to the Emirates because of his secondary role at Stamford Bridge.
The teenager joined Chelsea from Palmeiras in 2025, is already a Brazil international and is valued at £67m on Transfermarkt. He is not among Alonso’s key group of players, and it is believed he would be open to leaving if his situation does not improve.
Why would Estêvão leave Chelsea?
Minutes. Alonso left him on the bench for the whole of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup defeat at Anfield last week, even with Cole Palmer suspended and João Pedro injured, while the travelling fans sang his name as he warmed up in front of them.
Alonso didn’t hide from it afterwards. He admitted Estêvão “could be happier for sure”, said he was sure the winger would get his moment and called handling the situation his own responsibility. Estêvão was involved against Manchester United on Saturday and had a strike ruled out by VAR in the 2-0 win, but he is still some way from being a regular.
It is a big change from last season, when he made 12 Premier League starts and scored eight goals in all competitions under Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, before a hamstring injury kept him out of the 2026 World Cup.
Where would he fit at Arsenal?
On the right, as competition for Bukayo Saka. Arsenal are said to want a right winger who can genuinely challenge him, and Saka’s fitness is part of that: he has missed four games in a row with the quad injury he picked up against Bayern Munich, as our injury news before Hull explained.
Noni Madueke has been the stand-in, and he finally made it click in Prague. Estêvão would offer something different again: quick feet, a high success rate taking on defenders, a powerful shot and the ability to drift inside closer to goal.
Would Chelsea sell to Arsenal?
The rivalry is real, but the two clubs have done plenty of business with each other over the years. The bigger barrier is the price. Estêvão is one of Chelsea’s most valuable young players, so any deal would need a serious investment, and next summer looks far more likely than January.
Verdict: Estêvão is worth the wait
I’d keep a close eye on this one rather than expect it soon. Alonso has promised him his moment, and a run of starts between now and the spring would change everything for Chelsea.
But if he is still on the fringes by May, Arsenal should be ready. A 19-year-old with eight goals in his first full season in England, and who wants to play, is exactly the sort of winger who keeps Saka sharp and covers him when his body says no.
