Chelsea youngster could make MLS move

Chelsea travel to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday for a match that could prove crucial in determining which sides secure a European spot by the end of the season. 

The Blues have won just two of their last 16 games across all competitions and manager Graham Potter is under increasing pressure to stop his side’s run of poor form.

Potter has been handed a number of new players during his brief stint in charge of the club so far, but their performances of late suggest that the new arrivals have struggled to gel.

The likes of Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix have made instant impacts at Stamford Bridge, while Mykhaylo Mudryk has failed to replicate his cameo performance against Liverpool in any of his recent showings.

Now, another of Chelsea’s new singings could reportedly be on his way to the USA.

As per Goal, Brazilian Andrey Santos could be on his way to join MLS side LA Galaxy on loan.

The 18-year-old, who recently captained Brazil to victory at the Under-20 South American Championships, was signed by Chelsea from Vasco de Gama during the January transfer window.

He joined up with his new teammates earlier this month, but was refused a work permit by the Premier League and will now be unavailable for Potter until next season at the earliest.

Santos captained Brazil Under-20s to victory earlier this month

With that in mind, The Blues have decided to send the teenager out on loan, but a proposed move to Palmeiras collapsed this week.

It is claimed that the Premier League side demanded that Santos would be allowed to go on international duty with Brazil Under-20s for the World Cup later this year, and also that he would return to London in July.

Palmeiras were unwilling to agree to those conditions, and the deal therefore collapsed, but LA Galaxy are now planning to swoop in.

The MLS side are said to be happy to adhere to Chelsea’s demands, but Santos himself is reluctant to agree to the move as he is intent on competing in a higher quality league.

At the Under-20 South American Championships, Santos netted six goals in eight matches, also providing an assist, as Brazil lifted the trophy.

Santos is one of a number of young players to have been signed by Chelsea since Todd Boehly took charge of the club last summer.

Omari Hutchinson, Gabriel Slonina and Carney Chukwuemeka have all joined the club, as well as ex-Tottenham Hotspur youngster Noni Madueke.