Chelsea transfer news: Wonderkid explains why he rejected Blues for Wolves

Incoming Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Pedro Lima has explained that he rejected Chelsea in favour of a move to Molineux.

Earlier this month, it was widely reported that the 17-year-old would become the next Brazilian wonderkid to be signed by co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

The right-back was allegedly in line to be loaned out to Strasbourg, also owned by BlueCo, but it was said that the scenario did not appeal to the teenager.

Instead, Sport Recife - his current club - surprisingly announced earlier this month that an agreement had been reached with Wolves for a transfer to go through on July 1.

Despite his tender age, Lima will be provided with the opportunity to immediately challenge for a role in Lima's first-team squad.

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Lima speaks on Wolves move

Ahead of formally completing the switch to the West Midlands, Lima has given an interview to Globo, revealing that he was motivated by "the project" at Wolves, rather than greater money elsewhere.

Lima said: "Since my childhood, my mother always told me to stay where I felt most at peace. When I saw the two projects, I saw the Wolverhampton project, I felt like that was my home. And that's what mattered.

"It wasn't a question of salary, of money, it was more a question of projecting my career. I think a lot about the future, I know where I want to go and I'm looking for the right paths towards my life's goals."

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Is Lima likely to earn many minutes?

Lima is eager to challenge for a spot in the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup and that will only be achieved through earning a first-team role at Wolves.

In the short term, that may be ambitious. Nelson Semedo is the current incumbent with Matt Doherty offering experienced backup to the Portugal international.

On the flip side, Lima will have only chosen Wolves over Chelsea or Strasbourg if he has been given assurances over his minutes between 2024 and 2026.

During 2024, the starlet has recorded 30 appearances for second-tier side Sport Recife, with 631 minutes coming across eight outings in Serie B, where his club sit in sixth place.

Wolves are said to be paying a fee of £8.45m for Lima, who will pen a long-term contract.