Andrey Santos set to return to Brazil on loan after his second work permit is rejected

New Chelsea signing Andrey Santos has been denied his work permit again and will return to Brazil.

According to the Evening Standard, Santos will join a top Brazilian club on loan after being refused the chance to play in England.

Chelsea hoped they could get the player to join them, but it looks impossible now. They will help him find an ideal destination for his development.

The Blues tried to use Santos’ participation at the South American Youth Football Championship as leverage, but it did not work.

Santos missed out on the permit again by only one point despite captaining his club to the U20 South American Championship title earlier this week.

The 18-year-old impressed at the tournament in defensive midfield.

He showed his leadership qualities, leading team talks and wearing the armband on the pitch.

His all-around game impressed many people. His ability to break up attacks and drive at opposition defences was in full view.

Santos finished as joint top scorer with teammate Victor Roque after netting six goals despite playing deep in midfield. 

Chelsea will look at clubs competing in the Brazilian top flight and the Copa Libertadores for Santos’ destination. Playing for clubs of this stature will add at least three points to his work permit application.

Brazilian clubs know Santos’ quality from when he was playing for Vasco da Gama in the Brasileiro Serie B.

He earned his wonderkid reputation by scoring eight goals and assisting four in the second division last year.

Internacional and Palmeiras are currently leading the chase for the all-action Chelsea midfielder.

Chelsea signed Santos for £18 million as part of their record transfer spree in January. They hoped he would be able to help them in this second half of the campaign, especially with their midfield struggles.

In Mateo Kovacic, Denis Zakaria, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante, Chelsea have a very injury-prone midfield set-up.

Santos could have partnered with fellow January recruit Enzo Fernandez but will now go out on loan to gain more experience and points.