Everton are ‘interested’ in Brazilian youngster Andrey Santos but face competition from Barcelona for his signature.
That’s according to UOL in Brazil, who say both Everton and the Catalans are vying for the highly-rated defensive midfielder.
The news outlet explains that Santos was ‘one of the highlights’ of Vasco Under17’s run in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior and has found himself ‘in the sights’ of European football.
According to their information, Barcelona and Everton are both interested in the 17-year-old midfielder and are making moves to secure him.
The Catalan club have already been watching the player for a few months and have initiated the first contacts to learn about his situation.
This has all been initiated by former Barcelona star Deco, who is their representative in South America.
Santos’ contract with Vasco expires in 2023 and includes a termination clause of €30m, but Vasco won’t look for that and are ‘studying the possibility’ of doing business at around €6-7m.
Whether Everton or Barcelona are willing to pay that price isn’t mentioned, just that they are both interested in the youngster.
He’s considered one of the highlights of Vasco’s under-20 team, so much so he was handed a professional contract at 16 and became the youngster player to make his debut for the club a year later.
Andrey Santos also played for Brazil at under 15, under 17 and under 18 level.
It is that which has seemingly led to the interest from Europe, although whether he ends up at the Camp Nou or Goodison Park remains to be seen.
Everton would not be able to formally sign the player until he turns 18 in May.
