Chelsea won’t be able to register new signing Andrey Santos and it’s partly due to Enzo Fernandez and Denis Zakaria
Chelsea’s new £16million signing Andrey Santos has been denied a work permit for a second time.
The Brazilian prodigy signed for the club in the January transfer window from Vasco Da Gama - one of eight players the Blues landed - but he now looks set to move out on loan to get game time.
He has spent the last few weeks with the Brazil Under-20 squad and he's proved his exceptional ability.
With his nation he won the South American Youth Football Championship, scoring six goals and finishing joint-top scorer.
But, now, he may have to spend the next few months in his home continent as Chelsea’s permit for a 'special talent' visa has been rejected, according to talkSPORT sources.
Santos won’t be able to play because of the number of midfielders Chelsea signed, including those they brought in the January transfer window.
He also hasn’t played enough top-flight games which has impacted on the Blues' hopes of registering the player for the Premier League.
talkSPORT understands Chelsea’s argument that Santos was a vital part of the squad was also thrown out due to the number of players Graham Potter has in that position.
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The Blues paid a British record fee for Enzo Fernandez and also have Denis Zakaria on loan from Juventus and the duo are classed as similar players to Santos.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter spoke about the situation in his pre-match press conference before his side take on Southampton: “Santos is still in the same place. We’re looking at what the options are for him.”
Brazilian outfit Palmeiras are in pole position to land him on loan, according to the Evening Standard.
There, participation in the Copa Libertadores would give at least three points to the application to let him play in the Premier League.