Chelsea are ready to cash in on Andrey Santos as Arsenal and PSG eye moves for a player who could leave Stamford Bridge without playing a game for the club.
The Blues signed Santos from Vasco da Gama in 2023 but immediately sent the highly-rated midfielder back to the Brazilian club.
An unsuccessful loan spell at Premier League side Nottingham Forest followed as the 21-year-old was recalled from the City Ground after making just two appearances under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Santos has fared much better at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg, establishing himself as one of the most consistent players in Ligue 1 this season.
The midfielder has reached double figures for Strasbourg and caught the attention of a number of clubs with his general play in France.
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It was reported earlier this month that Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Arsenal had expressed interest in Santos.
Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich are also believed to be admirers of the Brazilian, who made his international debut in 2023.
Despite his impressive form, Spanish outlet Sport say Chelsea are unlikely to recall Santos at the end of the season and are ready to take advantage of the growing interest by selling him.
Enzo Maresca is already struggling to juggle a bloated squad at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are keen to agree a few summer sales ahead of more arrivals in the off season.
Chelsea spent £18m on Santos two years ago but value the player at £50m ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
Barcelona rivalled Chelsea for the transfer back in 2023 and are said to be gutted that they failed to lure him to the Nou Camp.
Deco travelled to Brazil in the hope of striking a deal but left disappointed, with Chelsea offering a better financial package to both Vasco da Gama and Santos himself.
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly was recently asked about Santos’ development in France and insisted he was ‘really excited’ about his future.
‘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.’
Ex-Stamford Bridge midfielder Emmanuel Petit, meanwhile, has backed Santos to be the ‘answer’ for Chelsea next season.
Maresca’s side have endured a mixed season, briefly threatening to challenge for the title but now face a fight just to qualify for the Champions League.
Chelsea face Nottingham Forest in their final Premier League game on Sunday before meeting Real Betis in the Europa League final next week.
‘Andrey Santos is having a great season at Strasbourg,’ Petit told Hochgepokert. ‘Like Brest in the season before, they are fighting for a Champions League spot and they have played beautiful football.
‘Santos is a young player who has improved a lot since last season, he can do whatever he wants on the pitch.
‘He can play as a central midfielder, a holding midfielder or elsewhere, he can do everything. He can score and assist and is a very talented player with a bright future ahead of him.
‘I think he could be the answer for Chelsea in midfield with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, I think he is the missing link.
‘Romeo Lavia is a good player but he is still learning. I just think that Santos will fit in perfectly at Chelsea.’
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