Chelsea owner Todd Boehly in humiliating blow as Wolves hijack deal for transfer target

CHELSEA have suffered an embarrassing failure just days into the summer transfer window.

The Blues seemed to be closing in on their first signing under Enzo Maresca as they eyed up Brazilian right-back Pedro Lima, 17.

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But Wolves have now hijacked the deal as Lima’s side Sport Recife revealed on Monday.

A club statement read: “Sport Club do Recife announces that it has signed a binding agreement to transfer the economic and federative rights of athlete Pedro Lima to Wolverhampton Wanderers, from England.

“The agreement is subject to customary conditions, including the athlete’s approval of medical examinations conducted by the English club.

“President Yuri Romao and the football management committee will detail the operation in a statement when all acts related to the business have been completed.”

According to Fabrizio Romano, a deal was “verbally agreed” with Chelsea’s owners last week but the circumstances have now drastically changed.

It represents an embarrassing situation for Blues owner Todd Boehly – who has splashed the cash to unprecedented levels since arriving in English football two years ago.

He spent more than £1billion on transfers in 18 months but seen little improvement on the pitch.

Boehly sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter during his first season in charge.

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He appointed Mauricio Pochettino who seemed to be making progress at the end of the season with a run of just one defeat in 16 Premier League games.

But he then left and has since been replaced by former Leicester boss Maresca.

Chelsea have been linked with other names in the summer window including Michael Olise, John Duran and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.