Newcastle United is firmly in the mix for Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, and here’s the thing: they might actually have the money to make it happen.
The Magpies just offloaded Sandro Tonali to Tottenham on a six-year deal, and Anthony Gordon’s exit brought in another £70 million. That’s a combined £162.5 million in incoming cash. Even after covering whatever Spurs paid for Tonali (reported at £92.5 million as the initial figure), Newcastle’s bank account looks healthy enough to play with the big boys again.
And they’re going to need it. There’s a real chance Bruno Guimaraes could leave this summer too. If that happens, Eddie Howe’s midfield goes from being a strength to a gaping hole before you even think about depth.
Enter Andrey Santos. Chelsea signed him from Vasco da Gama for £18 million back in 2023, and after a rough season where he still managed 43 appearances for the Blues, his value has climbed. Reports suggest a fee around £50 million could get it done. That would be a tidy profit for Chelsea, and the club is open to selling if the number is right.
Manchester United wants him too. And United can offer Champions League football, which Newcastle can’t right now. That’s a real problem for the Magpies. But according to journalist Simon Jones, Newcastle is “in the mix” — not a distant third wheel, but actively competing. Jones also noted that United’s interest in Alex Scott is still alive, and they ideally want two midfielders this window.
Newcastle’s interest in Santos isn’t new. They were tracking him as far back as 2022, when he was still a teenager in Brazil. That kind of long-term scouting suggests they see something specific in him, not just a name on a list.
The question is whether a club that can offer Champions League nights and one that can offer a clear path to starting minutes and a fat contract will win out. United has the prestige. Newcastle has the urgency and the cash. And Santos, for his part, is reportedly open to leaving Stamford Bridge this summer.
Chelsea paid £18 million for him. If they get £50 million two years later, that’s a win for their books and a big swing for whoever lands him.
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