Newcastle United seem certain to miss out on Andrey Santos to Chelsea, and could now miss out on another January target to the Blues in Joao Felix.
Graham Potter’s side are reportedly set to sign 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Santos from Vasco da Gama next month.
He was heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park, but is now going to join Chelsea for an initial £12million.
That is a real blow for Newcastle. Santos would have been an excellent signing, and should have been the club’s priority target heading into January.
But he is going to join Chelsea instead, and another player Newcastle have been linked with could now make the same move.
Chelsea plan to move for Felix
The Magpies have been linked with signing Joao Felix in January, who is set to leave Atletico Madrid when the transfer window opens.
It had been reported that his agent Jorge Mendes would hold talks with Eddie Howe’s side about a possible move, but the 23-year-old forward may now have a very interested suitor.
According to the Telegraph, Chelsea are going to make a loan move for Felix next month that could include an option to buy.
The report adds that Potter would play the Portugal international on the left of attack, with owner Todd Boehly keen to move quickly to complete a deal.
If Felix does move to Stamford Bridge, he will become the second Toon target to join Chelsea instead – assuming Santos’ move from Vasco da Gama is made official.
Interestingly, Chelsea could also sign Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile, who is someone Howe tried to sign at the start of the year while their bid to bring in Sven Botman was proving difficult.
Now the Dutchman is a Magpie, having signed in the summer from Lille.
As for Felix, it sounds like it will be incredibly difficult to bring him to St James’ Park. And that is regardless of interest from Chelsea, who are much better placed to sign the attacker.
He would be a brilliant signing for Newcastle, but missing out to Chelsea won’t hurt as much as the Santos disaster.
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