Newcastle United are favourites to sign Vasco da Gama attacker Andrey Santos.

The Northern Echo is reporting Newcastle are in advanced negotiations to sign the young star and will try to close the deal in the coming weeks. Their good relationship with the player's agents has tipped the balance in their favour.

Santos, 18, has been on Barçelona's radar for months. All the scouting reports were favorable because the youngster had already exploded at a professional level and a move to Europe seemed imminent.

His position as a pivot in front of the defense made him extremely attractive to Barça, who met with his agents, Giluliano Bertolucci and Kia Joorabchian, to find out the terms of a possible transfer.

Barça's difficult financial situation hindered their approach, though, and Newcastle have taken advantage of the opportunity to make their move.