Newcastle United are in talks with Vasco da Gama for young Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos.
That is according to 90min journalist Graeme Bailey, who was speaking on Talking Transfers about the latest news from St James’ Park.
According to Bailey in an article for 90min, Newcastle have been scouting Santos for over 12 months, with both the Magpies and Vasco da Gama in communication over a possible move to Tyneside for the young Brazilian, as well as his teammate Eguinaldo.
The same article suggests that the Brazilian club are looking at a deal worth over £20m for the 18-year-old midfielder.
And Bailey has indicated that the club are confident of getting a deal for Santos over the line.
“They’re in talks with Vasco da Gama over Andrey Santos, who is one of the best young midfielders in Brazil – he has been for a good 18 months now; defensive midfielder.
“They nicknamed him the Brazilian Busquets in Brazil, that’s how good he is.
“He won’t come cheap, about £20m, but these talks are ongoing and Newcastle are very confident about getting him and he will come in on a work permit.”
TIF Thoughts on Bailey’s comments…
The signing of Santos would seem to fit in with Newcastle’s philosophy of trying to sign some of the planet’s top young prospects, with the club securing the signature of 18-year-old Australia forward Garang Kuol in September.
We think this is a sensible policy, as it could save the club plenty of money in transfer fees if these prospects eventually grow into first-team players, though we do think that £20m on an 18-year-old midfielder who has never played in Europe is a big gamble, with the fee suggesting that he would have to be in and around the first-team squad almost immediately.
However, we think that the club’s transfers have been almost spot-on since the Saudi Public Investment Fund took over the club in October 2021, and therefore, we have full faith that they will find a return on this investment if it goes through.