Chelsea close to signing £12m Brazilian teenager

Chelsea are close to signing 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Vasco de Gama.

Santos has caught the eye of Chelsea, as well as Paris Saint-Germain, with his impressive performances in Brazil in 2022.

Competing in the second division of Brazilian football in his first full senior campaign, he has eight goals from 33 matches playing at the base of his team's midfield. Santos has already been likened to Newcastle star and compatriot Bruno Guimaraes.

As per the Evening Standard, Chelsea are in advanced talks over a January move for the midfielder and are closer to completing a deal than PSG.

New owner Todd Boehly is keen to bring overseas talent to the club early to increase the number of homegrown players in the squad and has encouraged academy director Neil Bath to seal the deal.

As part of that strategy, Chelsea are also keen on 16-year-old Palmeiras prodigy Endrick. The striker has three goals in three starts for Palmeiras, although Chelsea face strong competition from European heavyweights PSG and Real Madrid.

The French champions are the only club to have entered concrete talks regarding a possible transfer, according to the player's father, but have had their opening bid rejected by Palmeiras, who are holding out for a fee in the region of a €60m release clause.


Source : 90min