Andrey Santos has played down reports of an imminent departure from Vasco da Gama amid speculation linking the teenage midfielder with a £35 million move to Premier League high-flyers Newcastle United, speaking to Globo Esporte.
With two assists and a goal in his last two outings, Hugo Ekitike is finally making his mark at a PSG player.
But with the Ligue 1 champions hoping to beat Newcastle to one of South America’s most exciting young talents, Ekitike’s slow start to life in the French capital – he’s started just twice in all competitions – could potentially have a bearing on Santos’ decision.
Newcastle would have offered Ekitike regular first-team football. PSG cannot, and could never, say the same.
PSG, Le10 Sport say, are going head-to-head with Newcastle for Andrey Santos’ signature in the New Year. There is a confidence at St James’ Park, meanwhile, that Santos will do what Ekitike did not, and sign a long-term deal with a team now guaranteed to be in the top-four at Christmas for the first time since before Andrey Santos was even born (90Min).
The player himself, however, was reluctant to give much away when asked to comment on the rumours. As far as Santos is concerned, ‘nothing’ is close to being finalised at this stage.
Will Andrey Santos choose Newcastle United over Paris Saint-Germain?
“(I am) happy for everything that is happening; the result of a lot of work, everything happening naturally. My parents and my manager help me. I know that everything will happen at the right time for my dreams to come true,” Santos explains.
“But there’s nothing for now.”
Santos, who has also been linked with Barcelona, Everton and Aston Villa and shares the same agent as Bruno Guimaraes, has an impressive eight goals in 33 games for Vasco da Gama this season. That is despite a supposedly ‘defensive’ role at the base of the midfield.
“I’m happy about my first season as a professional. In my first year, establishing myself as a starter,” Santos adds.
“I’ve always scored a lot of goals. I always left my mark since I was little. And, in the professional game, it was no different in that first year. I was able to maintain consistency and I hope to continue that way.”
Newcastle secured their place in the Champions league spots ahead of the World Cup break on Saturday. A Joe Willock stunner was enough to beat Graham Potter’s beleaguered Chelsea 1-0 at St James’ Park.
They are now third, just two points off Manchester City.
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