Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos insists he ‘loves’ the Blues and is desperate to make it at Stamford Bridge after emerging as a shock transfer target for Arsenal.
The Gunners have reportedly expressed interest in signing Santos following his impressive season at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.
Santos, 21, was one of the most influential midfielders in the French top-flight last season, scoring ten goals and providing three assists.
Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in Santos, who Chelsea signed back in January 2023.
Chelsea spent £18m to poach Santos from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama but the talented midfielder is still yet to make his first-team debut for the Blues.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Santos was sent on loan to Nottingham Forest last season before spending 18 months at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg.
Chelsea are reportedly open to selling Santos – though they value the youngster at a steep £50m – but the player himself says his ‘desire’ is to become a key player for the Premier League club.
Following the conclusion of his loan spell in France, Santos could be included in Chelsea’s squad for the upcoming Club World Cup.
‘The only conversation I had was that I would play in the Club World Cup for Chelsea and after that we’ll see what happens,’ Santos told the Daily Mail.
‘Everyone knows about my love, my desire to play for Chelsea. I think Enzo Maresca was very sincere with me, and I liked that sincerity.
‘Also, when you look someone in the eye, when you’re sincere, you build trust with the player.
‘So I accepted that and went to Strasbourg to get minutes. And now, God willing, we’ll see how it goes at the Club World Cup. I hope everything goes well.’
Santos described his early struggles at Chelsea and Nottingham Forest as ‘very difficult’ and discussed how he turned things around at Strasbourg, also owned by Todd Boehly’s BlueCo consortium
‘It was a very difficult moment in my career – the beginning at Chelsea, with loans and no games at Forest, especially because I was very young,’ he added.
‘I was always ready to train, always fit to play, but unfortunately, I didn’t get an opportunity there with the coach at Forest.
‘But I never stopped working and I was sure that when the opportunity arose, which it did here at Strasbourg, I would be ready.
‘I think the period I spent at Forest, learning and adapting, was fundamental for me to arrive here ready, to arrive here more experienced, let’s say, despite how young I am.
‘And of course, the mindset changes. I came with a staff, I came with a physical trainer, a cook, a nutritionist too. So I think every detail makes a big difference in football.
‘The affection from Chelsea fans is something very special as well. Ever since the news broke that I was going to Chelsea, they started sending me a lot of messages.
‘Back when I was at Vasco, too. And I had the spell at Nottingham, where I didn’t play, but they sent me messages there too, I’d see some posts, they’d tag me on Instagram and Twitter.
‘But I think during this spell at Strasbourg, they watched more. And since I played well, I think they’re very anxious to see me playing for Chelsea, just as I’m very anxious to play there.’
Chelsea co-owner Boehly appears to be a fan of Santos, recently hailing him as a ‘really exciting’ player.
‘We’re going to the Club World Cup so, right now, we’re laser-focused on the Club World Cup,’ Boehly said. ‘We have some players that are joining us for the Club World Cup that weren’t on the team.
‘Andrey Santos is coming from Strasbourg. We’re really excited about him and what we think he can add to the squad.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.