Chelsea could be forced to send January signing Andrey Santos back to Brazil for a loan spell amid uncertainty over his work permit, according to UOL.
The 18-year-old signed for the Blues from Vasco da Gama in early January and is currently away to represent Brazil in the Sudamericano Sub-20 tournament.
Santos has had an impressive tournament so far, having scored five goals in six games as a midfielder.
However, while the competition comes closer to a conclusion, his future at Chelsea remains unclear.
According to UOL, Santos has yet to obtain a work permit from the UK home office and does not have enough points for one, either.
Chelsea may request an FA exceptions panel to consider the teenager’s performance in the Sudamericano Sub-20 to grant a special endorsement, but this may not work.
If it proved unsuccessful, Chelsea then could be forced to send Santos on loan. Since many of the European transfer windows are already closed, Brazil is said to be a likely destination for Santos.
UOL adds that teams that compete in the Copa Libertadores would be the only options.
Playing in the tournament would provide Santos the best opportunity to earn the most points to meet the requirements for a UK work permit.
As it stands, eight Brazilian sides are competing in the Copa Libertardores, and Santos’ former club Vasco da Gama is not among them.
The eight teams are: Palmeiras, International, Fluminense, Corinthians, Flamengo, Athletico Paranaense, Fortaleza and Atlético Mineiro. The latter two are still in the play-offs.
Nevertheless, a Brazil loan would not be ideal since Chelsea would likely prefer to allow Santos, whom some of the club staff rate even higher than Enzo Fernandez, to adapt to European football as soon as possible.
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