Chelsea are reportedly close to completing a deal to sign Santos starlet Deivid Washington.

Though he has made just 16 senior appearances for the Vila Belmiro side, Washington has emerged as the latest highly-touted talent to graduate from the club’s academy.

According to a report from Brazilian publication Globo, Mauricio Pochettino‘s side had an initial bid of just under £13million rebuffed by the Brazilian club but are prepared to increase their offer to secure Washington’s signature.

An increased deal worth £18.3m is said to be in the works, with the majority of that reportedly set to be paid up front, after Santos initially held out for a larger fee with performance related add ons.

Washington is represented by Giuliano Bertolucci, the Italian agent responsible for a number of Premier League stars including Arsenal’s Gabriel, PSG star Marquinhos and Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

Chelsea are reportedly close to signing 18-year-old Santos star Deivid Washington

The club have reportedly prepared a £18.3m bid to sign the highly-touted forward

Washington’s former Santos teammate Angelo Gabriel joined the Blues earlier this summer

Berolucci was also responsible for brokering the deal between Chelsea and Santos for 18-year-old winger Angelo Gabriel, who joined the West London club earlier this summer.

Should Washington make the move to Stamford Bridge he would join a contingent of teenage prospects that have joined the club since Todd Boehly’s takeover last year.

The Gremio youth product would also find himself in good company with his countrymen at the club, with former Santos teammate Angelo, Brazil international Andrey Santos and veteran defender Thiago Silva.

After spending pre-season in the USA, Pochettino’s first competitive fixture in charge of the Blues will come when they take on Liverpool in their Premier League opener next Sunday.