Chelsea transfer news: Devid Washington 'to fulfil dream' as loan agreement reached

Ever since making the switch to Stamford Bridge from Santos in a £17.1m transfer in August 2023, Washington has remained on the periphery of the first team.

Having accumulated 25 minutes across three matches under Mauricio Pochettino during 2023-24, the 19-year-old has been provided with no senior action by his replacement Enzo Maresca.

While seven outings have been made for the Under-21s this season, there has been a desire to find Washington a team where he can earn regular senior football.

According to Brazilian journalist Uriel Lugt, who was commenting on X, that club has now been determined for 2025.

Who has won Washington race?

Lugt says that Washington will soon be confirmed as a player for his former club Santos, where he played 16 times before his switch to Chelsea.

The suggestion is that he will spend the entire 2025 campaign at Santos, who have just earned a return to Brasileiro by winning the second-tier title.

Washington will now look to compete with the other attacking contingent in Pedro Caixinha's squad, the prospect not the only incoming at Vila Belmiro.

Brazilian legend Neymar is finalising a transfer back to his former club having cut short his time in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal.

As per the report, Washington will be 'fulfilling a dream' by playing alongside Neymar. Washington had been at Santos from the age of 11 before his move to Chelsea.

When could debuts be made?

While the 2025 Brasileiro does not commence until March 29, an array of cup fixtures will be played before that date.

There are currently eight Paulista A1 games on Santos' schedule between now and February 23.

If and when both signings are confirmed, there will be regular opportunities for both players to get game time under their belts before the start of the new top-flight campaign.

Written by

Darren Plant