Chelsea wonderkid Andrey Santos finalising work permit as first-team role beckons
Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos is finalising a work permit to play in the Premier League next season.
The 19-year-old was at the British consulate in Brazil on Wednesday to complete the relevant paperwork as he bids to link up with the Chelsea squad for the start of pre-season.
Santos joined Chelsea in a £16million signing deal from Vasco da Gama in January but returned to the Brazilian club on loan.
He is regarded as a first-team signing and the progress on his work permit application is a boost for Chelsea.
Santos had his initial visa application rejected in February but is now likely to meet the criteria to allow him to move to Stamford Bridge.
He is keen to train under Mauricio Pochettino in pre-season as the new Chelsea head coach bids to fill the void left by the departing N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
Santos is expected to get clearance to play in England, having previously missed out on his visa by one point through the FA’s application system.
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He has since completed several important landmarks to add points to his application - making his full international debut for Brazil, playing in the Brazilian top flight this season and captaining his national team to the Under-20 South American Championship.
Premier League and EFL clubs are also close to giving formal backing to radical FA plans to allow them to sign up to four promising overseas players a season, who would not get work permits under the current system.
The FA’s proposal incentivises teams by letting them sign young overseas stars if substantial minutes have been given to English-qualified players.
