Chelsea are prepared to cash in on Andrey Santos this summer, despite the midfielder not having played a game for the club. Santos was signed by the Blues in 2023 from Vasco da Gama but was immediately loaned back to the Brazilian club. His journey then took him to Nottingham Forest, but his time in the Premier League was short-lived, making just two appearances before being recalled by Chelsea.
Since then, Santos has found success at Chelsea’s sister club, Strasbourg, where he has established himself as a key player in Ligue 1. His performances in France have caught the eye of several top European clubs, including Premier League rivals Arsenal, Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain, and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Santos has been a standout performer at Strasbourg, earning praise for his all-around play and his contributions to the team.
Despite this strong form, it is reported that Chelsea are unlikely to recall Santos at the end of the season and are instead ready to take advantage of the growing interest by selling him. The Blues have a bloated squad under manager Enzo Maresca, and with the need for summer sales to balance out further arrivals, Santos could be one of the players to leave Stamford Bridge.
Having paid £18m for Santos two years ago, Chelsea now value the 21-year-old at £50m ahead of the upcoming transfer window. Barcelona, who were also interested in Santos in 2023, are reportedly disappointed that they couldn’t secure his signature, having been outbid by Chelsea’s financial offer to both Vasco da Gama and the player himself.
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly had previously expressed excitement over Santos’ future, particularly his potential contribution to the squad. However, with the club now focused on offloading players, a summer sale seems likely. “Andrey Santos is coming from Strasbourg. We’re really excited about him and what we think he can add to the squad,” Boehly said earlier this year.
Ex-Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has praised Santos, calling him a “great” player with a bright future. Petit believes that Santos could be the missing link in Chelsea’s midfield alongside Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. “Santos is a young player who has improved a lot since last season, he can do whatever he wants on the pitch,” said Petit. “I think he could be the answer for Chelsea in midfield.”
As Chelsea continue their mixed season, briefly flirting with a title challenge but now fighting for a Champions League spot, Santos’ future remains uncertain. With Arsenal, PSG, and Bayern Munich showing interest, it seems the Brazilian could be on the move this summer, potentially leaving Stamford Bridge without ever having played a game for Chelsea.