Transfer Centre

Chelsea, Palmeiras 'hit roadblock in Andrey Santos loan talks'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 21 February 2023

Chelsea and Palmeiras are reportedly struggling to conclude a loan transfer for midfielder Andrey Santos due to disagreements over the length of the deal.

Palmeiras are reportedly struggling to conclude a loan transfer for Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos due to disagreements over the length of the deal.

The 18-year-old was one of eight players to arrive at Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window, joining for a €12.5m (£11m) fee from Vasco da Gama.

Chelsea were hopeful that Santos would be able to make an instant impact in the first team, but he was unable to obtain a work permit, missing out by just one point.

As a result, Chelsea have sought a loan return to his homeland for Santos, who quickly identified Brasileiro champions Palmeiras as his favoured destination.

However, the Evening Standard claims that talks between the two sides have hit a roadblock, as Palmeiras want to keep the teenager on loan in Brazil until the end of their regular season in December.

Chelsea manager Graham Potter on February 11, 2023 © Reuters

In contrast, Chelsea are only willing to loan him out until the summer, as the Blues are intending to integrate the midfielder into their first-team squad in pre-season for the 2023-24 campaign.

Santos is expected to have earned enough points for a work permit after a few months with Palmeiras, and the dispute could supposedly be resolved with a €1.5m (£1.3m) recall clause.

Such a clause would allow Chelsea to bring Santos back to Stamford Bridge in the summer, although the Brazil Under-20 international would therefore not be able to see out the 2023 Brasileiro or Copa Libertadores campaigns with Palmeiras.

Santos was supposedly attracted to Palmeiras' track record of developing young talent and their chances of winning the Copa Libertadores, and there is still optimism that Chelsea can reach a deal with the Brazilian club.

Santos scored eight goals in 33 appearances for Vasco da Gama during the 2022 Serie B season, helping the team achieve promotion to the top flight, and he also notched three goals in six Copinha matches at Under-20 level.

Chelsea's Conor Gallagher looks dejected after the match on February 18, 2023 © Reuters

Amid Chelsea's failed efforts to secure a work permit for Santos, the midfielder steered Brazil to glory in the Under-20 South American Championship, scoring six goals and providing one assist in eight appearances.

Santos - who wore the captain's armband for Brazil's Under-20s - ended the tournament at the top of the goalscoring charts alongside Vitor Roque, as Brazil took 13 points from 15 in the final stage.

Chelsea have already seen Jorginho make the move to Arsenal in January, and the Blues are also at risk of losing N'Golo Kante on a free transfer in the summer as contract talks fail to yield a positive solution.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher do not appear to be in Graham Potter's long-term plans either, while Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount are also out of contract in 2024, and the latter is now being heavily linked with an exit amid interest from Liverpool.