Chelsea ‘close to signing Andrey Santos after Brazilian wonderkid snubs transfer to Man City and Newcastle’

CHELSEA are reportedly close to signing Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama.

The Brazilian wonderkid has already made 37 senior appearances for the Rio de Janeiro-based side.

Santos plays in midfield and has already turned out for the Brazil under-20 side as he makes a name for himself.

He also has an eye for goal, having found the net on eight occasions in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B.

Chelsea are in the process of finalising the deal to bring the 18-year-old to Stamford Bridge for an undisclosed fee, according to the Athletic.

The report also states that the Blues will have beaten Premier League rivals to his signature.

Both Manchester City and Newcastle are credited with interest in the youngster, but he is believed to have chosen a move to West London instead.

Santos would become the latest rising star to be bought by Chelsea since the new regime was installed.

Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa, Cesare Casadei from Inter Milan, Gabriel Slonina from Chicago Fire and Omari Hutchinson from Arsenal are other players that have arrived as the club builds for the future.

This type of transfer is what manager Graham Potter is used to from his time at former club Brighton.

HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL

During his time on the south coast, the English manager saw multiple talents arrive and eventually make their way into the first team.

Most notably is midfielder and Ecuadorian World Cup star Moises Caicedo, who has also been linked with a switch to Chelsea.