Chelsea Secure Sensational Deal for Arsenal Star’s Cousin: Denner Alves Set for Stamford Bridge Move
Chelsea are continuing their aggressive pursuit of young South American talent, and their latest acquisition is already making headlines. The Blues are on the verge of signing Denner Alves Evangelista Pereira, a promising 17-year-old left-back from Corinthians—who also happens to be the cousin of Arsenal’s defensive stalwart, Gabriel Magalhães.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea will shell out €15 million (£12.4 million), including add-ons, to bring Denner to West London. However, fans will have to wait a little longer to see him in action—he won’t officially join Chelsea until the summer of 2026, after he turns 18.
Who is Denner? The Rising Brazilian Star
Despite not yet making his senior debut for Corinthians, Denner has been a standout performer at the U20 level, registering five goal involvements in 18 appearances. His performances helped Corinthians reach the final of the 2025 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, one of Brazil’s most prestigious youth tournaments.
His talent hasn’t gone unnoticed on the international stage either—Denner recently received his first Brazil U17 call-up ahead of the 2025 South American U17 Championship. His rapid rise has drawn comparisons to some of the brightest young full-backs in the game, and Chelsea believe they have secured a future star.
Chelsea’s South American Revolution
Chelsea have been relentless in scouting and signing Brazil’s top emerging talents. Denner joins a growing list of young Brazilian players at Stamford Bridge, following in the footsteps of Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington, and the recently confirmed Estêvão Willian from Palmeiras.
The Blues’ strategy of securing young South American gems has already paid dividends, with Andrey Santos, currently on loan at Strasbourg, receiving high praise for his performances. Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior has even compared him to Brazil’s legendary World Cup-winning captain Dunga, citing his intelligence and tactical awareness.
What This Means for Chelsea
Chelsea’s move for Denner further reinforces their long-term vision under Enzo Maresca. The club is actively building a young, dynamic squad, aiming to dominate European football in the years to come. While Denner won’t arrive until 2026, his signing highlights Chelsea’s commitment to staying ahead in the global talent race.
A Blow to Arsenal?
The fact that Denner is related to Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães only adds an extra layer of intrigue. Gabriel has been a key figure for the Gunners, forming a formidable defensive partnership with William Saliba under Mikel Arteta. While Arsenal were not actively in the race for Denner, Chelsea’s acquisition of a player from the same bloodline will certainly raise eyebrows.
As Chelsea look ahead to the future, one question remains—will Denner be the next Brazilian sensation to light up the Premier League? Only time will tell.
