Newcastle try to beat Barcelona to 'Brazilian Busquets' Andrey Santos

FT Desk

• 27 Nov 2022 07:09 CST
• 3 min read

Santos youngster Andrey Santos has been lined up as Sergio Busquets' long-term replacement at Barcelona, but Newcastle are set to steal a march on the Catalan giants.

Santos, still just 18, is already a cornerstone of Vasco da Gama's first team, making 33 league appearances for the four-time Brazilian champions in 2022, hitting an impressive eight goals from defensive midfield.

Already a Brazil under-20 international, Santos has caught the eye of more than one major European club, with former Vasco and Lyon superstar Juninho previously describing the youngster as "much better" than him at the same age.

READ: Who is Andrey Santos? Barcelona's Brazilian Busquets replacement

Barca were understood to be at the front of the queue for Santos' signature next summer, but Newcastle - the world's richest club following their Saudi Arabia-backed takeover in October 2021 - are ready to make a move as soon as the coming winter transfer window.

"TRANSFER NEWS: #NUFC ready to move for teenage Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos in January," The Northern Echo's Chief Sports Writer Tweeted on Sunday. "The Garang Kuol deal has set something of a template for what Newcastle are looking to do - they'd like Santos, valued at around £25m, to be next..."

Tiny Toons

Australian youngster Kuol - already capped twice at the tender age of 18 - will join Newcastle from Central Coast Mariners on 1 January after signing a pre-contract agreement in September.

READ: Newcastle ready to move for €10m Barcelona star after World Cup

Santos' asking price of €30 million should prove significantly more affordable for Newcastle than Barcelona, especially after the latter took a financial hit of around that number following their group stage exit from this season's Champions League.

There is also the fact that the Spanish tax man takes ten per cent off the top of any young player arriving in La Liga from Brazil, meaning Barca would in effect have to pay €33m to match Newcastle's bid.