Newcastle United loved yet one more clean switch window beneath PIF in January, with the Magpies having once more taken the smart strategy not to splash the money erratically, regardless of discovering themselves within the combine for Champions League qualification.
Amid all of the hope of short-term success, the Tynesiders do seem to have a agency give attention to the long-term challenge that’s underway beneath the brand new possession. That want to construct for the long run is clear with the signings of youthful duo Anthony Gordon and Harrison Ashby from Everton and West Ham United respectively, in addition to teenage Australia worldwide Garang Kuol.
However, the Magpies could also be left to regret their failure to add to these new arrivals with additional signings final month, having been unable to strike a deal late within the day for Flamengo starlet Matheus Franca.
The teenager was not the one Brazilian goal that PIF and Eddie Howe appeared to have missed out upon, with the top-four hopefuls additionally seeing Vasco de Gama sensation Andrey Santos be a part of Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Reports in December had advised that the St James’ Park outfit had been readying a transfer for the 18-year-old midfielder within the January switch window, whereas The Athletic named the rising wonderkid as one of many property on whom Howe and co had been retaining tabs.
While the Rio de Janeiro native is yet to feature for Chelsea following his £18m switch, he does seem to be a expertise who can blossom for Graham Potter’s aspect sooner or later, leaving these again on Tyneside to lick their wounds.
The 5 foot 11 playmaker is at present in “unstoppable” kind for his nation at youth stage, in accordance to Goal’s Tom Maston, having scored five objectives and offered one help in simply six video games in current weeks within the U20 South American Championship.
The perception is that such standout showings might nicely be certain that the eye-catching teen is ready to acquire a work permit to function within the Premier League, with it not past the realms of risk that he takes to the sphere at Stamford Bridge earlier than the top of the present marketing campaign.
Such prolific kind has adopted Santos’ standout shows in his homeland prior to sealing the transfer to west London, as he racked up eight objectives in 37 appearances for his former employers at senior stage.
To make that form of influence within the first workforce at such a younger age is a testomony to the midfield maestro’s high quality, having additionally earned notable reward from compatriot Juninho Pernambucano.
The former Lyon dynamo stated final yr: “Physically, he’s a monster. Without the ball, his participation within the recreation is whole. I needed to see his GPS, as a result of he doesn’t cease! And technically, he’s manner above the others.
“He’s not going to be better than me, he’s going to be much better than me. He is a much more complete player. At 18, I didn’t play half as much as he does, I’m not ashamed to say that.”
Also tipped to be a “great player” by former team-mate Nene, it seems to be as if younger Santos will go on to turn into a daily fixture at elite stage for each membership and nation within the years to come, with Newcastle possible to be left to rue that switch blunder.