Newcastle United recently held a ‘consultation’ with agent Giuliano Bertolucci in an attempt to secure the signing of highly rated Vasco youngster Andrey Santos.
That’s according to Torcedores, who cover Newcastle’s battle with Newcastle for the 18-year-old today.
They explain that Barcelona have not given up on signing the Brazilian, who is also ‘in the sights’ of Newcastle.
Sporting director Jordi Cruyff is working behind the scenes with André Cury, Barcelona’s representative in South America, to try to reach a “magic number” that pleases all the parties involved.
They’re facing competition from Newcastle, though, who contacted Bertolucci to discuss a potential move. Bertolucci has been handed responsibility for talking to foreign clubs about a transfer.
The Magpies ‘signalled’ in September that they would be willing to pay €35m in cash for the youngster but that proposal was never formally sent to Vasco.
Cruyff’s idea is to get close to what Newcastle can offer and create an agreement that would see Santos remain at Santos until June 2023.
Barcelona still face difficulties, though, as Vasco will demand that the full €40m of Santos’ release clause be met before the player can leave.
It seems that is a figure Barcelona don’t want to pay, presumably because of their financial issues. Newcastle, of course, would have no such issues with paying that figure given their financial strength.
Barcelona’s intention is to try and convince Vasco into a more open negotiations, perhaps even offering a percentage of a future sale to strengthen Vasco’s future finances.
It is now up to 777 Partners, SAF’s shareholder, to decide whether or not they will listen to that proposal, with Newcastle very much in the background and hinting that they’d be happy to pay.
