Chelsea and Newcastle United are set to miss out on Flamengo teenager Ryan Roberto, with Shakhtar Donetsk winning the race
Chelsea and Newcastle United are set to miss out on Flamengo teenager Ryan Roberto, with Shakhtar Donetsk winning the race, according to TEAMtalk. The deal is worth a reported £10 million for the Ukrainian side, with Flamengo retaining a 10% sell-on clause for future transactions.
Roberto broke into the Flamengo senior squad at the start of 2026, and while he has not featured extensively, his performances for the Under-20 side have captured attention. European clubs view Roberto as a prospect for future development; Chelsea and Newcastle have both explored a move. Chelsea’s talent-spotting under Clearlake has focused on South American prospects, but Shakhtar have moved faster in the race to sign the 18-year-old attacking prodigy.
Newcastle United may have been looking into doing something similar over the years, but they might not be as established as their Premier League counterpart, Chelsea. Yet, the two teams are now set to miss out on Flamengo talent Ryan Roberto to Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk.
Shakhtar’s track record with South American talent
Shakhtar Donetsk have developed a strong reputation for nurturing and developing South American players, particularly those from Brazil. Well-known and legendary players like Willian, Fernandinho, Douglas Costa, and Fred have all come through the club’s development system, with Shakhtar Donetsk managing to sell them on for substantial profits.
The Ukrainian club’s record of rapid first-team integration for South American talent aligns with Roberto’s need for regular senior exposure after limited Flamengo minutes. That may have perhaps tipped the scales in their favour in the battle for his signature.
As for Chelsea and Newcastle United, they may keep close tabs on the player’s development over at Shakhtar Donetsk with a view to lining up a move in the future. The Tyneside outfit are also linked with another Brazilian playing at the Ukrainian club, Marlon Gomes, establishing a clear precedent for the club as a stepping stone into English football. Shakhtar have become a funnel into the Premier League for Brazilian prospects in the past, a pathway Roberto may well follow.
