Chelsea are reportedly set to challenge Newcastle United and Barcelona for Brazilian teenage midfield sensation Andrey Santos.
According to 90min, Chelsea have begun talks with recently-promoted Brazilian first-tier club Vasco da Gama over the capture of midfield prodigy Andrey Santos. The Blues plan to hijack the deal for the talented midfielder from under the noses of Newcastle United and Barcelona.
The 18-year-old Vasco da Gama midfielder has been the subject of interest from Newcastle since last summer, with a reported £17.5 million bid knocked back by the Brazilian club. Since then, a cohort of top clubs across the continent have joined the transfer race for the wonderkid’s services, including the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, as well as Premier League rivals Aston Villa, Everton, and now Chelsea.
The Blues are interested in signing the defensive-minded player and could make an offer as early as the January transfer window. They have already made their first moves for Santos, having opened talks with his parent club as they hope to come out on top in the battle for his coveted signature.
Santos recently renewed terms with Vasco until September 2027 and reportedly has a £35 million release clause in his contract. His rapid progress and demand have prompted Vasco to demand a club-record fee for the player.
Dubbed “the Brazilian Busquets” for his excellent game-reading and ability in tight spaces, Santos is most certainly one for the future at just 18 years old, having made his first-team breakthrough with the Brazilian club only this year. But he has already established himself as a consistent starter in Brazil’s second tier with Vasco da Gama.
The starlet racked up 33 appearances and scored eight goals in his first full season of senior football in the Brazilian Serie B, playing a pivotal role in his side’s promotion in the process.
In the midst of a £280 million summer spend by the first team, Chelsea also recruited some of the best young talents around. Co-owner Todd Boehly wants to fill the Cobham academy with the very best players in their respective age groups across the world.
Chelsea pulled off a coup in the summer when they signed England Under-19 captain Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa, as well as Cesare Casadei from Inter Milan and Omari Hutchinson, all for significant transfer fees.
It appears Chelsea plan to continue their pursuit of the best young players over the next few transfer windows. Brazilian wonderkid Endrick is being widely linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and now Santos has popped up on their radar. That said, Chelsea are unlikely to get a free-run at Santos, with Newcastle United rumoured to have intensified their pursuit of the defensive midfielder.
And the Magpies have the financial capacity to compete for their top January target. With Newcastle heading in an upward trajectory at a rapid pace, the Toon Army could also provide the player with a tempting project and an easier route to the first team.
Debt-ridden Barcelona have also made an approach for the precocious talent as they lay out the succession plan for Sergio Busquets. But they are not in a position to fund a move. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can beat Newcastle and Barcelona to his signature.
