Who is Denner Evangelista? Chelsea agree £11.5m transfer for next Brazil wonderkid | OneFootball

Blues strike latest deal as part of recruitment push for best young South American talent

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Chelsea have reportedly agreed to sign Denner Evangelista.

Denner is said to be poised to sign a seven-year contract until 2032 and will make the move to Stamford Bridge in 2026, after he turns 18.

It is the latest example of Chelsea pushing to sign the best young talent of the future from South America, with incoming winger Estevao Willian having scored another brilliant goal for Palmeiras on Saturday to follow in the footsteps of legendary compatriot Neymar.

The Blues have also gone to Brazil to sign the likes of Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington and Angelo Gabriel in recent years as part of a clear youth recruitment strategy, while highly-rated Ecuador midfielder Kendry Paez will also arrive in west London this summer and Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino was signed from Boca Juniors.

Who is Denner Evangelista?

Denner Alves Evangelista Pereira is known simply as Denner. He is a 17-year-old, forward-thinking left-sided full-back who plays for Sao Paulo-based Corinthians in his native Brazil, having risen quickly through the youth ranks.

Hailing from Sao Paulo, Denner - who will turn 18 in February 2026 - is said to be a cousin of current Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, who played for Avai in Brazil before moving to Europe in 2017 with French club Lille.

Family links: Future Chelsea signing Denner Evangelista is said to be a cousin of current Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Though he has yet to make his senior debut for the club under Ramon Diaz, he has caught the eye with his impressive performances at Under-20 level, leading to the interest from Chelsea and other clubs across Europe.

Denner is among the Brazilian starlets to have featured in the recent Copa Sao Paulo de Futebol Junior, AKA the Copinha, the prestigious tournament for U20 teams in Sao Paulo in which defending champions Corinthians finished second in their group before knockout wins over Falcon, Vila Nova, Gabriel Martinelli’s former club Ituano, Vasco da Gama and Gremio and losing a thrilling final 3-2 to Sao Paulo last month.

Brazilian U17 international Denner scored the opening goal in the final with a powerful effort from inside the box, beating a defender for strength after tracking a fine lofted pass forward and then cutting inside before lashing home at the near post.

He registered three goals and one assist in total during the Copinha in total as one of the stars of the annual competition.