Manchester City are reportedly planning to hijack Chelsea and Newcastle United’s pursuit of Brazilian teenage sensation Andrey Santos, with Pep Guardiola keen on signing the Vasco da Gama midfielder.
According to Calciomercato, Manchester City have become the latest club to join the long list of suitors interested in Brazilian wonderkid Andrey Santos. The Citizens have put the player in their transfer sights. Chelsea and Newcastle United are among the in-demand Brazilian prodigy’s prospective suitors, with the former confident of winning the race to sign him.
Santos, although just 18 years old, looks to be someone with a bright future ahead and has the world at his feet. Dubbed the “Brazilian Busquets”, the Vasco de Gama midfielder made his first-team breakthrough with the Brazilian club earlier this year and has since established himself as a key player for the side.
The teenage wonderkid rose to prominence earlier this year following his stellar, well-rounded performances in the Brazilian second tier. That had already forced the European elite to sit up and take note of his all-round midfield talents, exceptional game-reading ability, and versatility.
And the young defensive-minded midfielder has already established a foothold in the first-team squad at Vasco da Gama and played a critical role in Vasco’s promotion to the top flight. The Brazilian whizkid has turned out 33 times for Vasco, chipping in with eight goals in his first full season of senior football in the Brazilian Serie B.
Barcelona and Newcastle United were among the first ones to scout Santos. But his rapid progression means that Paris Saint-Germain have also reportedly joined the race to sign him, as have Premier League duo Manchester City and Chelsea.
Manchester City’s interest in Santos stems from the uncertainty over the futures of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva. Both have been excellent servants for the club over the years. But Gundogan might leave the club at the end of the season when his Manchester City contract expires, while Silva continues to flirt with a Barcelona move.
Both exits could cause a major void in the Manchester City midfield unit. Even with Kalvin Phillips in their ranks to provide cover, the Citizens could do with more depth in midfield. And signing someone with a high ceiling like Santos will keep the supply chain steady.
However, as per the report, Chelsea are thought to be at the front of the queue in the race for Brazilian wonderkid as they look to address their aging central midfield roster. But Manchester City reckon they can use Pep Guardiola’s reputation to entice Santos to the Etihad. And why not? After all, Sergio Busquets was the former creation of the Manchester City boss.
The Citizens also have a healthy working relationship with Vasco da Gama, having purchased now-Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz from the Brazilian outfit in 2017 for a sum of €12 million.
The involvement of Chelsea and Manchester City in the transfer race does not bode well for Newcastle United, who have been linked with a move for the young enforcer for over a year now but will hope they can still entice the player with their exciting project and a more realistic route to the first team.
Santos has recently inked a new two-year deal until 2027. The new contract contains a €40 million release clause. But the report mentions €15 million should be enough to prise him away from his current club.
