(Football news) Chelsea are reportedly close to reaching an agreement to sign Vasco da Gama midfielder Andrey Santos, according to reports in Brazil. The 18-year-old is regarded as one of Brazil’s top young players having made his first-team at Vasco only this year. Santos has attracted interest from clubs across Europe including the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Newcastle United and Manchester City. But according to Fabrizio, Chelsea have now agreed to pay Vasco a €20 million (£17.5m) fee to sign Santos.
The report claims that the midfielder is now going to travel to London to undergo a medical and sign a contract. Andrey Santos is regarded as one of the best young talents coming out of Brazil as Santos recently signed a contract extension with Vasco in September which meant that the club tied him until 2027 and included a €50m (£43.8m) release clause. Santos has gone on to represent Brazil’s national side at under-16 and under-20 level. According to French reports last month, PSG had been pushing hard to sign Santos but the midfielder wanted to make the move to Chelsea. Graham Potter’s side could also be in the market for new midfielders next summer as both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante will see their contracts expire at the end of the season.
Santos is an unfamiliar name to many but at just 18-years-old he could be the future of Chelsea’s midfield. Brazilian Serie B team Vasco da Gama is where Santos has spent his entire football career; he joined the club when he was just seven as he only made his senior debut in November 2021. After making his first appearance in Vasco de Gama’s final league game in last season, Santos quickly became a first-team regular for his boyhood club making 33 Brazilian Serie B appearances scoring eight goals in the process. His side finished the season in fourth, as he helped Vasco earn promotion to Brazil’s top flight with a 1-0 victory on the final day of the season against Ituano.
Santos was sent off in the 55th minute of the match and it was subsequently the first red card of his career, but Vasco were able to hold on for the victory that confirmed their promotion to the Brazilian top flight. Chelsea are set to pay is currently an undisclosed fee but according to reports it looks to be £15 million, however interest from a number of clubs may have seen the figure rise as the initial payment will be £12 million for Santos, but add-ons could take the final price up to £20 million.
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