Barcelona Target Chelsea Wonderkid Andrey Santos for Potential Transfer
Barcelona is reportedly targeting Chelsea wonderkid Andrey Santos, despite the midfielder never making a first-team appearance for the Blues. Santos joined Chelsea in January from Brazilian side Vasco De Gama for a fee that could rise to £18 million. However, he was immediately loaned back to his parent club and only recently joined up with Chelsea for pre-season training.
According to the Daily Mail, Barcelona manager Xavi and sporting director Deco are big fans of Santos and have held talks with Chelsea representatives over a possible transfer. The Catalan club is in search of a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets, and they see Santos as a promising option. Benfica and Porto have also shown interest in a loan move for the youngster, but Mauricio Pochettino would like a closer look at the midfielder before making any decisions.
Despite not making a senior appearance for Chelsea, Santos has impressed for Brazil’s national side. He received a call-up to the senior squad after an outstanding performance in the Under-20 World Cup. Santos made his senior debut for Brazil as a substitute in their 2-1 friendly loss to Morocco in March. Speaking about the experience, Santos expressed his joy and gratitude, saying, “It is an incredible experience. A dream come true, I’m very happy. I feel at home, they welcomed me very well.”
Chelsea is open to selling players as they aim to trim their squad. However, young players are crucial to Todd Boehly’s Chelsea strategy, so it is unlikely that the Blues would be eager to sell Santos unless Pochettino deems him surplus to requirements. The club has already let go of ten players this summer as they work on reducing their previously bloated squad.
One notable departure from Chelsea is Mason Mount, who recently completed a £55 million transfer to Manchester United. Mount’s move follows Kai Havertz’s transfer to Arsenal, as Chelsea continues to make changes to their squad. The club has also seen the departure of Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, and N’golo Kante, who have all left for Saudi transfers. Additionally, Matteo Kovacic, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Tiemoue Bakayoko have also left the club.
In conclusion, Barcelona’s interest in Chelsea wonderkid Andrey Santos highlights the midfielder’s potential and talent. Despite not making a senior appearance for Chelsea, Santos has already made his mark on the international stage with Brazil. While other clubs have shown interest in a loan move, Barcelona seems to be leading the race for his signature. However, Chelsea’s focus on developing young players may make them reluctant to sell Santos unless deemed surplus to requirements. As the transfer window progresses, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona can secure the promising midfielder’s services.