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Chelsea set to beat West Ham in Chiquinho transfer race
Chelsea are set to beat West Ham to the signing of young forward Chiquinho.
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Chelsea are set to beat London rivals West Ham in the race to sign young striker Chiquinho this summer. Both Premier League sides are rumoured to be interested, though it appears he could become Frank Lampard's first senior signing at the club.
Chelsea are yet to make a signing during Lampard's tenure at the club.
Despite having their transfer embargo lifted prior to the January window, they opted against bringing anyone in.
They were heavily linked with a series of strikers, and the boss admitted he wanted to bring in a forward.
Now, it appears he could have his wishes answered, with the Blues ready to spend big on Estoril's Chiquinho.
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The youngster has been turning heads this season after some impressive performances for the Portuguese second-tier side.
He plays predominantly on the wing, but at only 20 has the potential to be moulded into a striker.
The Portuguese ace has scored six from 24 league games this season for the club's second team, before breaking into the senior side at the turn of the year.
Since making his mark for the senior side, he has scored once and set up another in eight games.
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West Ham were reported to be in the mix for his signature, though reports from Portugal claim Chelsea's offer is more financially lucrative.
Chiquinho's arrival could come at the perfect time, with the club expecting to lose 30-year-old Willian this summer.
The Brazilian veteran is currently at loggerheads with the club over the coronavirus crisis, amid claims he wants to fly back to Brazil to escape London.
Willian is out of contract at the end of the season and has been courted by a series of teams, with Barcelona and Manchester United both tentatively linked.
Chelsea were heavily linked with Jadon Sancho ahead of the January transfer window, but failed to make a move.
Now, the Borussia Dortmund star appears set to join United.
The Red Devils are believed to be desperate to bring in the 19-year-old whizkid after missing out on Erling Braut Haaland in January.
They are also being linked with Jude Bellingham, but Dortmund are preparing to blow their offer out of the water financially.