Chelsea have homed their sights on a fresh talent from the Brazilian Serie A following defeat in the pursuit of the prodigious Endrick, who penned a deal with Real Madrid several days ago.

What’s the word?

With Endrick slipping through the Blues' fingers like sand, Athletico Paranaense forward Vitor Roque has been identified as the latest target for Chelsea owner Todd Boehly.

Brazilian outlet Globo have reported that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are joined by Chelsea in the race to secure a budding star from a perpetual tank of talent stemming from Brazil. 

And with the 17-year-old holding a release clause of roughly €100m (£87.2m), it remains to be seen whether intrigue will ripen into concrete interest in his services. 

Blues’ own Martinelli 

Roque has made an excellent start to his professional career, scoring 14 goals and assisting five more across 51 matches for the Hurricane and Cruzeiro, with the teenager signing for the former earlier this year. 

Left-footed and clinical, Roque is already offering signs that he can blossom into one of the most devastating forwards in the business, utilising his pace and darting runs to bypass defences and wreak havoc. It is those qualities that have seen talent scout Jacek Kulig suggest he has "crazy potential".

He can also play on the flank, offering a level of versatility that will serve him well when it comes to finding a place in the fold of the likes of Chelsea, with positional flexibility a sterling trait for those looking to reach the top.

He bears semblance to Gabriel Martinelli, who signed for Arsenal in a reported £6m deal in the summer of 2019, arriving as an 18-year-old prospect from Brazilian outfit Ituano and slowly integrating into a side that is now flourishing at the top of the Premier League table. 

Now rated at £52.3m, Martinelli has plundered five goals and two assists from 20 appearances for the Gunners this term, consequently receiving a call-up to Brazil’s 2022 World Cup squad for his efforts.

At Chelsea, Roque could emulate his compatriot’s success, forging his way into a side that is at the dawn of a new era, with Boehly succeeding Roman Abramovich as owner earlier this year.

And indeed, with Real Madrid’s purchase of Endrick, their chances of securing another young forward from Brazil are diminished with some of Europe’s most coveted outfits interested. 

Roque, who was hailed for his “natural prowess” by prominent analytical site Breaking The Lines, could find success at Stamford Bridge, following in the footsteps of Martinelli in taking the leap across the globe to London, and making steady gains under the watchful eye of Blues boss Graham Potter.