Chelsea agree midfielder deal as £18m star spotted in stands ahead of game

Andrey Santos is close to leaving Chelsea until the summer after a loan deal was agreed with his former club Vasco da Gama, according to reports.

The 18-year-old was unable to obtain a work permit after joining Chelsea on a long-term contract last month from Vasco in a deal worth up to a reported £18 million.

Despite his performance at the U20 South American Championships last month, which saw the midfielder win the tournament, captain Brazil, end as the joint top-scorer and win the Player of the Tournament, Santos didn’t qualify for a permit to be able to be registered for Chelsea.

It left Chelsea and Santos both disappointed after confidence was shown. Attention to looking at the options over his short-term future switched quickly, and it appeared a loan move to Palmeiras was close.

However, Palmeiras wanted a loan deal until December which Chelsea weren’t so keen on. Graham Potter’s side looked to add a recall clause in the contract for the summer, while also wanting Santos to be allowed to join the U20 Brazil squad for the World Cup in May.

Those terms meant a deal could not be agreed and Santos has now agreed to join his former club Vasco on a three-month loan deal, as reported by the Evening Standard.

Santos is now in Brazil which will see him undergo a medical before his Vasco return is confirmed.

He was in the stands to watch Vasco beat Boavista 4-1 to move them third in the Brazilian Serie A.

Santos will reportedly begin training with Vasco this week to begin his short-term loan switch back to his homeland.

Once the loan deal concludes, Chelsea are keen to take a look at the teenager during pre-season this summer.

Chelsea are set to head to the United States for their pre-season tour. They have been invited to a tournament, as well as to play non-league side Wrexham who have offered to play both the Blues and Manchester United.

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