Chelsea are reportedly open to allowing one of their players to remain out on loan for the 2024-25 campaign.
With Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital having gone on a relentless spending spree during their first three transfer windows at the helm, it is inevitable the Blues now have to find temporary solutions for a wide array of players.
However, FIFA's loan regulations dictate that only seven loans can be arranged with foreign clubs, forcing Chelsea to juggle their options.
Last summer, the situation was not helped by Kepa Arrizabalaga and Romelu Lukaku taking up two of the spots in order to get their lucrative wages off the club's outgoings.
At the end of this season, though, Chelsea hope to cash in on the duo in order to generate some timely funds in the hope of passing the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.
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Chelsea delighted with progress of prospect
Taking a longer term view, the hierarchy at the West Londoners will look to use the extra available slots to send some of their younger talent to clubs abroad, especially when FIFA's limits drop to six foreign loan exits.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, as well as the Evening Standard's Nizaar Kinsella, that could be the case with regards to Andrey Santos.
After an unproductive stint at Nottingham Forest, the 20-year-old was allowed to link up with Strasbourg - also owned by BlueCo - at the end of the January transfer window.
Santos has proven to be a revelation in France, making eight starts and two substitute appearances plus also winning the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Month award.
Furthermore, the one-cap Brazil international scored a dramatic winning goal as Strasbourg recorded a 2-1 victory over Metz on Sunday evening.
Andrey Santos' game-winner in the 90th minute 🇧🇷🔥 pic.twitter.com/tmWdsxUOKY
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 13, 2024
After the game, Santos acknowledged he and his family were enjoying life in the city and reports have since emerged that Chelsea are happy for him for spend another season in Ligue 1.
Will view on Santos impact on other players?
That this stage, that remains to be seen. Chelsea paid in the region of £18m for Santos, so making every effort to maintain and enhance his value takes a certain amount of priority.
That said, other players fall into the same bracket. Chelsea must find a solution for Deivid Washington, who has been limited to just 25 minutes of senior football during his first campaign in England.
David Datro Fofana, who has been out at Burnley, has indicated he would like the opportunity to remain at his parent club, although that remains in doubt courtesy of a new centre-forward appearing to be on the agenda for the summer transfer window.
In order to meet the necessary financial rules, Chelsea may also need to entertain allowing some high-profile players to move elsewhere on a temporary basis if they do not attract suitable permanent bids.
Darren Plant
