Chelsea and Manchester United join race to sign 19-year-old Brazilian duo

Chelsea and Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to sign highly-rated Santos duo Gabriel Barbosa and Thiago Maia, according to the Sun.

The Brazilian pair, who are currently representing their nation at the 2016 Olympic Games in their home country, are attracting interest from a number of clubs across Europe, with Leicester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan all linked with forward Barbosa and the Premier League champions already understood to have lodged a £23 million bid.

Meanwhile Maia, a defensive midfielder, is rated as one of Brazil’s brightest young prospects and the Blues and United are believed to have registered their interest in the two 19-year-olds.

Barbosa, who has already scored twice for his country at the Olympics, has netted 24 goals in 82 league appearances for Santos, while Maia has also established himself as a key man for the Brazilian Serie A outfit, playing 44 times since making his debut in 2012.