NEWCASTLE are reportedly aiming to beat Barcelona to the signing of Brazilian wonderkid Andrey Santos.
Santos, 18, has emerged as a target for Newcastle ahead of a potential January move.
According to the Northern Echo, the central midfielder has been on the club’s radar for some time.
Newcastle will face a battle to sign him with Barcelona also expressing an interest in the teenager.
However, the Spanish giants financial situation continues to strain them heavily, opening the door for Newcastle to swoop in if they can stay within the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
The teenager currently ply’s his trade out in the second tier of Brazilian football with Vasco da Gama.
He appeared 36 times for the Brazilian outfit last season, scoring eight goals.
This being said, Santos’ role is not that of a goalscoring midfielder.
Instead Santos tends to play in a deeper midfield role where he breaks up play, proven by his 62 tackles and 26 interceptions last season.
A transfer for Santos is in line with Newcastle’s new transfer policy of trying to recruit the best talent around the World.
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It is a policy which saw them land Australian wonderkid Garang Kuol.
Kuol almost completed a shock comeback for the Socceroos against Argentina at the World Cup but saw his last minute shot dramatically saved by Emiliano Martinez.
This new transfer policy came into effect after the club’s current owners – a Saudi Arabian headed Public Investment Fund – brought the club from previous owner Mike Ashley.
Ashley has been in news today after his Frasers Group served an eviction notice to Coventry City.
It comes after the group brought the Coventry Building Society Arena last month.
On the other hand, Newcastle’s owners pumped an additional £70million into the club last month.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
