Andrey Santos is increasingly likely to leave Chelsea on loan until the end of the season after his work permit application was denied again.
Andrey Santos joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama last month in a deal worth up to £18 million, however he didn’t automatically qualify for a work permit and needed to qualify for ‘special status’ to obtain permission to play for Chelsea this season.
Chelsea opted to sign him anyway, amid competition from Paris Sanit-Germain and Newcastle, which now looks like astute business given his heroics for his country.
Chelsea would’ve thought Santos’ success would’ve helped them get his permit to allow him to be in contention to play for Graham Potter’s side this season.
But to surprise, his involvement in the tournament, which finished on Sunday, was not taken into consideration – despite him captaining the side, and scoring six goals.
Calls were also made to consider Santos as an indispensable player to Graham Potter’s side but it didn’t work, with £107m deadline day British record signing Enzo Fernandez and loanee Denis Zakaria in the same position.
Andrey Santos would need to be an 'indispensable player' to secure his work permit, however this is not seen as the case due to the signings of Enzo Fernandez and Denis Zakaria [loan].
[via @pedrosa] https://t.co/ieJJSbACSn
— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) February 17, 2023
Hinting at the concern about his work permit, manager Graham Potter was asked about the new signing from Vasco da Gama at Friday’s pre-match press conference.
Potter said: ‘Santos is still in the same place. We’re looking at what the options are for him.’
Graham Potter on Andrey Santos work permit: “Andrey’s still in the same place. We’re looking at what the options are for him” 🚨🔵 #CFC
Santos is with the squad but NO green light from Premier League for his work permit yet.
🇧🇷 Brazilian clubs will now push to sign him on loan. pic.twitter.com/99pCa1wPzx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 17, 2023
Since he cannot join up with the Chelsea side for the time being, it looks likely that he will go to Brazil to play in the Copa Libertadores, with Palmeiras thought to be in pole position.
Playing in South America’s leading club competition would add at least three points to the application to let Santos play in the Premier League, according to the Evening Standard
The transfer window in Brazil remains open until early April.
