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‘Set to be confirmed’… Fabrizio Romano says 19-year-old Newcastle target is heading to France today

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Newcastle United have been looking to sign a midfielder throughout the entirety of the January transfer window, but now one of their targets could be off to France.

We have already seen Newcastle miss out on Kalvin Phillips to West Ham United, while Everton star Amadou Onana looks likely to be too expensive for the Magpies on deadline day.

Another player who Newcastle have been linked with is Chelsea teenager Andrey Santos, who was previously a target for Eddie Howe before he joined the Blues.

Santos had been on loan at Nottingham Forest, but that deal was terminated after just two appearances. That led to speculation over a fresh move, with Newcastle linked with signing the 19-year-old.

Now Fabrizio Romano has offered an update, and shared details on who Santos’ next club will be.

Chelsea Training Session and Press Conference
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Andrey Santos is heading out on loan again

According to Fabrizio Romano, Andrey Santos is going to sign for Strasbourg on loan today.

He wrote on X: “Andrey Santos will leave Chelsea today in order to join Strasbourg on loan, deal set to be confirmed. Andrey has approved the move.”

Interestingly, Strasbourg are an affiliate club of Chelsea. They both have the same owners, but there will be no questions raised about the two clubs trading players. However, it was a different story when Newcastle were linked with bringing in Ruben Neves from PIF club Al-Hilal…

Newcastle move was never likely

In truth, a deal for Santos was never likely. While the midfielder idolises Bruno Guimaraes, they were never going to become teammates.

That is because Chelsea have been looking to loan out Santos, while Newcastle already have a temporary deal with the Blues. Lewis Hall is still only on loan, although that deal is going to become permanent in the summer.

But his current situation meant talk of move for Santos seemed fanciful. He is clearly a player who Newcastle like, but their big chance to sign him came and went when he was still in Brazil with Vasco da Gama.