French giants join race for £30m Newcastle United and Barcelona transfer target

Newcastle United face increased competition in their attempts to sign Brazilian wonderkid Andrey Santos.

The 18-year-old midfielder has attracted interest from a number of clubs around Brazil and Europe after breaking into the Vasco de Gama first-team over the last year.

The box-to-box midfielder made his senior debut in January, Santos has gone on to score five goals in 26 appearances and has received praise from a number of experts in his home country.

Former Lyon and Brazil star Juninho Pernamburcano described him as ‘a monster’ in a recent interview and his form in recent months has seen several scouts paying a visit to the second-tier club.

However, Vasco de Gama director Paulo Bracks has confirmed that the club are yet to receive a formal offer for one of their prize assets.

He told Globo Esporte: “There is no proposal on the table. Many people approached him (Santos). A lot of people who shouldn’t, by the way.

“Andrey is a Vasco player, with a secure contract. If there is a possibility to negotiate, we will. But not this year.”

The likes of Barcelona, AC Milan and Wolverhampton Wanderers have all reportedly shown an interest in Santos, who is said to be valued at around £30million.

iNews have now reported Paris Saint-Germain are the latest club to consider a move for the youngster but have suggested Newcastle are hoping to exploit their positive relationship with ‘influential agent’ Giuliano Bertolucci, an intermediary of Bruno Guimaraes, to win the race for Santos.