Chelsea transfer hijack confirmed after huge announcement made

Chelsea have seen their planned transfer of Pedro Lima from Sport Recife hijacked by Premier League rivals Wolves.

The Brazil international looked destined to make the move to the Blues, via sister club Strasbourg, in a €10.5million (£8.8million) deal, however Wolves have arrived on the scene and reached an agreement to sign the defender with his current club confirming as such on social media.

Their statement, via X, read: "Sport Club do Recife announces that it has signed a binding agreement to transfer the economic and federative rights of athlete Pedro Lima to Wolverhampton Wanderers, from England.

"The agreement is subject to customary conditions, including the athlete's approval of medical examinations conducted by the English club. President Yuri Romão and the football management committee will detail the operation in a statement when all acts related to the business have been completed."

With Chelsea losing out on the talents of the 17-year-old, Matheus Cunha may have had something to do with that especially following his praise of Lima earlier this month.

"Pedro Lima is a talent, he has a bright future. He is from Paraiba who comes to Recife and has a very similar story to me. I wish him the best," Cunha told Brazilian news outlet Globo Esporte. "I wanted him to be playing with me because I think Wolves were also interested. But he made his decision, Chelsea is a great club and I hope he plays and I hope to play against him often."

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Though Chelsea have lost out on Lima, confirmation of their latest wonderkid signing will likely be made official very soon with Estevao Willian joining in a €65million (£55million) deal. Last week, the teenager completed his medical in Brazil and now it is only the final details that need to be sorted between Chelsea and Palmeiras.