Andrey Santos might have chosen to join Chelsea but he has admitted that his footballing idol is actually a Newcastle United star.
Rewind to 2022 and Newcastle United were on the lookout for a new midfield signing.
Newcastle were linked with Andrey Santos – a young Brazilian midfielder who was just 18 years old at the time. However, Chelsea swooped to sign Santos ahead of Newcastle in a £18m deal.
Santos made a bright start at Chelsea after snubbing Newcastle, but a failed loan move at Nottingham Forest knocked his momentum. Newcastle were linked with Santos again in January 2024 but a move never came to fruition.
Despite Santos’ agent wanting him to sign for Newcastle, he ended up moving to France to join Strasbourg on loan.
Photo by Elyxandro Cegarra/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Elyxandro Cegarra/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Andrey Santos says his idol is a Newcastle United star
Despite missing out on a move to St James’ Park, Andrey Santos has spoken highly of Newcastle as a team.
According to journalist Alessandro Schiavone, the young midfielder has also claimed that his footballing idol is a Newcastle United player.
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Schiavone spoke to Santos after Strasbourg’s 4-2 win over Lyon in Ligue 1 on Friday.
Andrey Santos idol is Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes
Despite Schiavone not revealing exactly what Santos said in their interview, the 20-year-old midfielder has previously raved about Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes.
Back in January, Santos named Guimaraes as an idol alongside Brazilian Casemiro and Manchester City’s Rodri.
“I really like Bruno because of his personality, because of the way he plays. I admire him a lot,” Santos said.
READ MORE: Bruno Guimaraes shares why Newcastle United’s bus parade to Town Moor makes him feel like ‘the best player in the world’
There is a strong Brazilian presence in this Newcastle side with Guimaraes and Joelinton two key players in Eddie Howe’s midfield.
With Guimaraes eager to stay at Newcastle for years to come, perhaps Santos will reconsider a move to Tyneside to play alongside his idol.