Chelsea manager Graham Potter could get his third signing at the club after Christopher Nkunku and David Fofana since being appointed as the manager earlier this season. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the club are inching towards the acquisition of Brazilian starlet Andrey Santos. The 18-year-old midfielder currently plies his trade in Brazil’s Serie B with Vasco da Gama, and is now set to commence his European expedition with the Blues.
Santos had attracted immense interest from a number club including the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City and Newcastle United, but Chelsea have come out on the top. The teenager is content with the Blues’ project and could become a first feather in Potter’s hat. With his signing, Chelsea will thus continue to build a solid foundation for their future which has been the topmost priority of their new owner Todd Boehly.
Chelsea to fork out £18 million on the teenage sensation’s signing
With the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City and Newcastle United also in the fray, Chelsea had to up their efforts significantly if they had to beat their competitors to Santos’ signing. Moreover, looking at Chelsea’s domestic as well as European campaign so far, all of aforementioned parties who were interested in snapping up the midfielder were better positioned to land him.
But Chelsea’s superior £18 million offer triumphed Santos will now become their third signing as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano. The midfielder has scored 8 goals in 37 games in all competition for Vasco this season, being a key player of the team. And now, even before he completes his debut season with the Brazilian side, Santos has landed himself a move to Chelsea. Confirming the deal and providing an insight on it, Fabrizio revealed:
“Chelsea are now closing in on Andrey Santos deal. Brazilian midfielder born in 2004 is expected to join the club from Vasco da Gama. Personal terms are almost agreed, deal at final stages. Vasco will receive 70% of the fee.”
Alongside his 37 outings for Vasco, Santos has also made debuts for Brazil Under-18s as well as Under-20s, where he has featured a combined 6 times, netting 2 goals. He now joins Chelsea on a long-term deal as the Blues are looking for young talent all around the world. Since the take over by Boehly, Santos is Chelsea’s fifth signing aged 21 or less after Wesley Fofana [21], Carney Chukwuemeka [18], Gabriel Slonina [18] and David Datro Fofana [20].
The Blues have agreed a £8 million for the signing of Molde striker David Datro Fofana who has been nothing less than impressive this season scoring 21 goals in 37 games in all competitions for his club. Fofana and Santos add to the big-money signing of Christopher Nkunku, who will join the Blues next summer for £52 million. The France international may have missed the World Cup due to an injury, but has excelled for his club RB Leipzig, netting 16 goals and providing 3 assists in 22 games.
Chelsea are certainly eyeing to become a force to reckon with by the next summer, and are still looking for some signings in the upcoming January market. They have completed the appointment of Christopher Vivell as their technical director, a man known for the signings of Erling Haaland, Karim Adeyemi, Josko Gvardiol, Timo Werner for his previous employers RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg amongst many others.