Andrey Santos Chelsea future revealed

Stuart Telford

• 17 Feb 2023 11:10 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea won the race to sign Brazilian prodigy Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama in January, but the midfielder still doesn't have a work permit allowing him to play in the UK…

Barcelona had also scouted Santos as their potential long-term successor to Sergio Busquets, who is out of contract at Camp Nou at the end of this season.

The Brazilian is a hot property, nominally a defensive midfielder but one who scored eight goals in 33 games as Vasco were promoted last year before hitting six for Brazil as they won the 2023 South American U-20 Championship earlier this month.

READ: 'Already better than Casemiro' - Santos leaves Chelsea fans drooling with Brazil U20 display

Santos captained the Brazilian youngsters to that glory, but he is yet to be capped at full international level - even if that would appear to be just a matter of time - and as a result he falls foul of UK employment regulations.

As a result, Santos is set to be loaned back to Brazil, and he has reportedly settled on what his next destination will be.

Santos picks Palmeiras

"Andrey Santos for four months at Corinthians? Understand the case!" tweeted Corinthians journalist Samir Carvalho before inviting fans to listen to his YouTube account. "I exclusively found this information and much more! Come have a coffee with me!"

READ: Enzo, Caicedo, Nunes - which midfielder should Chelsea prioritise?

Carvalho then outlined interest in Santos from Corinthians, Palmeiras and his former club Vasco, and in a disappointing turn of events for the former, claims Santos' preference is to spend the next few months with Palmeiras.

The Brazilian league season runs from May to December, so Palmeiras would like to loan Santos until the end of the calendar year, rather than have him only until the summer.

Chelsea would be gambling on Santos acquiring enough work permit points at the U-20 World Cup in May if they decide not to send him back to Brazil for so long.