Newcastle would buy teenager for £30m, but transfer talks have stalled

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Talks between Newcastle United and Andrey Santos have stalled despite the Premier League team’s willingness to spend £30 million on the Vasco da Gama wonderkid, as reported by Brazilian publication Globo Esporte. 

A fortnight ago, Vasco’s sporting director Paulo Bracks insisted that the second-tier club were under no pressure to cash in on their 18-year-old prized asset amid interest from the likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa and Barcelona.

Especially with the ink still drying on the new, long-term contract Andrey Santos signed earlier in September. One that ties him down until the 2027, albeit with a £45 million release clause included in his deal. 

“Vasco does not have, under this new management, a need to sell players,” Bracks explains. “There will be financial stability at the club.

“Andrey is a Vasco player, with a secure contract. If there is a possibility to negotiate, we will. But not this year. Not at all.” 

Newcastle United eye Vasco da Gama midfielder Andrey Santos

Message, it seems, received.

Newcastle United, Globo Esporte add, were willing to spend a staggering £30 million for a player born in May 2004; the same month that Sir Bobby Robson’s Magpies finished fifth in the Premier League table with a squad containing the likes of Alan Shearer, Lee Bowyer, Shay Given and Jonathan Woodgate. 

Talks have stalled, however, with Vasco da Gama’s refusing to consider the sale of a man who remains crucial to their hopes of a return to the Brazilian top-flight. Santos, who only turns 19 next May, already has six league goals to his name this season. 

“Physically, he is a monster,” says Lyon legend and former Brazil international Juninho. “Without the ball, his participation in the game is total. I want to see his GPS, because he doesn’t stop! And technically, he’s way above the others.

“He’s not going to be better than me, he’s going to be much better than me. He is a much more complete player. At 18, I didn’t play half as much as he does. I’m not ashamed to say that.”