Newcastle United are confident that they can bring Andrey Santos to the Premier League in the January transfer window with Vasco da Gama team-mate Eguinaldo another name on Eddie Howe’s radar, according to 90Min.
Late last month, Newcastle confirmed the £300,000 arrival of Garang Kuol.
However you want to describe him – ‘world-class’, ‘scintillating’, the Australian Mbappe or, to quote Barcelona boss Xavi, an ‘unbelievable’ talent – the 18-year-old from Central Coast Mariners has certainly captured the imagination on both sides of the globe.
Fellow 18-year-old Andrey Santos would not come quite so cheap. 90Min believe that Vasco da Gama want a minimum of £20 million, with other reports suggesting a fee could reach £30 million.
But should both Santos and Kuol arrive within the same stretch of time, this would be irrefutable proof of Newcastle’s determination to bring some of the game’s most exciting teenage talent to St James’ Park.
“Physically, he is a monster,” says Lyon legend and former Brazil international Juninho 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 United want Vasco da Gama duo Andrey Santos and Eguinaldo
According to 90Min, Santos has been on Newcastle’s radar for over a year now. Talks between the Magpies and Brazilian Serie B outfit Vasco da Gama are ongoing, with Newcastle ‘confident’ that Santos will arrive at some point. Potentially as early as January.
It is worth mentioning, however, that Vasco director Paulo Bracks was far less optimistic when discussing Santos’ future a couple of weeks ago. Vasco, he says, are under no pressure to cash in on any of their players. Then again, £30 million be far too good to turn down. PSG and Barcelona are interested in Santos too.
90Min say that Newcastle also like Vasco’s left winger Eguinaldo. A tricky right-footed left-winger, you won’t be surprised to learn the identity of Eguinaldo’s idol.
“My reference is Neymar,” the 18-year-old says. “I think his life story is very similar to mine. He comes from a humble family.”
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