Brazilian director makes transfer claim about player ‘wanted’ by Newcastle United & Chelsea

Vasco da Gama director Paulo Bracks has admitted there is significant interest in reported Newcastle United transfer target Andrey Santos.

The Magpies have been repeatedly linked with a move for the 18-year-old midfielder but they will face significant competition with Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona all said to be considering making a move for the youngster. His growing reputation has been forged during a series of impressive performances for the second-tier side over the last year as Santos has scored eight goals in 36 appearances as Vasco battle for a return to Serie A this season.

His form prompted praise from former Vasco, Lyon and Brazil star Juninho Pernambucano earlier this year as he stated his belief that Santos was going to surpass his own achievements in the game, saying: “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.”

There were reports Chelsea had stolen a march on their rivals for the youngster by lodging a £12.5m bid with Vasco earlier this month but that was refuted by several outlets in Brazil. As it stands, Santos will remain with the Serie B side, and Bracks is hoping it will stay that way, despite the significant interest in his services.

“The whole world wants Andrey,” Bracks told ESPN Brazil. “But he’s from Vasco, he has a contract with us, a strong contract. He should go to a South American Under-20 championships, and I can’t guarantee what will happen to him. I hope he stays with us, this year, in this Serie A project of ours, but he is an athlete who, on the market shelf, is being very targeted.”