Newcastle happy to pay over £30m for PSG target in record-breaking deal

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Newcastle United were willing to pay more than £30 million to bring PSG and Barcelona target Andrey Santos to the Premier League over the summer, according to Vasco Noticias, with their interest in the midfielder ongoing. 

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When Santos emerged into the world, in May 2004, a Magpies team containing the likes of Shay Given, Laurent Robert and Alan Shearer had just gone down 1-0 away to Kevin Keegan’s Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium. 

At just 18 years of age, Andrey Santos could soon become one of the most expensive signings in Newcastle’s history. And, for that matter, their most expensive teenager. 

According to reports from Brazil, the Saudi-backed Magpies were willing to pay in excess of £30 million for the Vasco da Gama maestro over the summer. Having recently extended his contract to 2027 – and with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona sniffing around – it would likely take a similarly eye-watering fee to lure Santos away from the Estadio Sao Januario in 2023. 

Newcastle United still hope to sign PSG and Barcelona target Andrey Santos

Per Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle have been watching Santos for ‘a long time’. There is a confidence that the Brazil U20 international will end up on Tyneside too, say 90Min, with Newcastle still in negotiations with a Vasco da Gama side sitting third in Brazil’s second tier. 

That is despite the fact that Santos has admirers at some of Europe’s biggest clubs. PSG are one. Barcelona, looking for a long-term Sergio Busquets replacement, are another. 

“Physically, he is a monster,” Lyon legend and former Brazil international Juninho says of Andrey Santos. “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.”  

Newcastle are also keen on Santos’ Vasco da Gama team-mate Eguinaldo. A £22 million bid has reportedly been lodged for another Brazilian starlet – Angelo Gabriel – too.