Chelsea 19-year-old Deivid Washington is reportedly set to undergo a medical with Santos in the coming days ahead of a loan return to the Brazilian giants for the second half of the season.
Even though the Blues are currently missing Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu through injury, Washington is not in Enzo Maresca's immediate plans.
With the striker away at the Under-20 South American Championship, Christopher Nkunku acted as the focal point of the Blues' forward line against Brighton & Hove Albion last Friday, but he was powerless to prevent his side from falling to a horrific 3-0 defeat at the Amex Stadium.
Despite scoring four goals in five Premier League 2 matches for Chelsea's Under-21s this season, Washington is yet to win over Maresca, who has not handed him any senior minutes so far.
The closest that the 19-year-old has come to a first-team appearance this season was in September, when he was an unused substitute in the Blues' EFL Cup third-round victory over Barrow.
Washington 'closing in' on Santos loan switch
© Imago
In spite of their current attacking shortages, Chelsea have given the green light for Washington to leave on loan, and Maresca recently confirmed that talks were ongoing with another club.
Now, Fabrizio Romano reports that the teenager should complete his medical tests with Santos in the coming days and will join the Brazilian giants on a straight loan deal.
Romano adds that all the necessary paperwork is now in place to send Washington back to his homeland, and they view the temporary transfer as crucial for his development.
Washington's switch to Santos will see him rub shoulders with Neymar, who re-joined his boyhood club from Al-Hilal in January and scored his first goal since returning against Agua Santa-SP on Sunday.
Washington left Santos to join Chelsea in a £13.3m deal in the summer of 2023 but has made just three senior appearances for the Blues so far, two in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup under Mauricio Pochettino last season.
What is the state of play with other Chelsea attackers?
© Imago
The Brazilian's return to his boyhood club will follow Joao Felix's loan switch to AC Milan, and the Portugal international hit the ground running with a goal on his debut for the Rossoneri in the Coppa Italia.
Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic has refused to rule out signing Felix on a permanent deal when the season is over, while David Datro Fofana - who returned early from his stint at Goztepe FK due to injury - could be sold this summer if his knee issue heals in time.
Ukraine international Mykhaylo Mudryk is also still serving a provisional ban after failing a doping test, while Nkunku - linked with a move to Manchester United in the winter - has struggled to adapt to life in England so far.
A new centre-forward is expected to be at the top of Chelsea's agenda this summer, where the likes of Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak are sure to be mooted as their top targets.
In the meantime, the club have reportedly made a decision on the future of head coach Maresca after Friday's painful loss to Brighton.
Ben Knapton
