Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos is reportedly starting to attract attention from several top European clubs.
Ever since a disastrous loan stint at Nottingham Forest was cut short, Santos has flourished during his time at Strasbourg.
A total of eight goals and two assists have come from 29 appearances in Ligue 1, the 20-year-old arguably the best-performing prospect in his position in France's top flight.
Although it appears increasingly unlikely that Santos will be recalled by Chelsea in January, reports have previously indicated that Enzo Maresca plans to use him in his squad for 2025-26.
However, according to Diario AS journalist Eduardo Burgos, interest is growing in the Brazilian's signature.
© Imago
Which clubs are interested?
Burgos suggests that Bayern Munich and AC Milan each hold an interest in negotiating a deal for the player later in 2025.
A number of unnamed Premier League clubs are also said to be monitoring the situation, aware that Chelsea may be open to Santos becoming acclimatised in English football.
Contact has reportedly already made been with Chelsea in some instances, club officials left in no doubt that opportunities will arise for Santos if they do not facilitate him in Maresca's squad.
With Santos possessing a contract until 2030, there is scope for Santos spending more time away from Stamford Bridge, yet the player may be against that scenario.
© Imago
Would Chelsea consider selling Santos?
When every midfielder is fit, the likes of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez sit at the top of the pecking order under Maresca.
That said, with Lavia continuing to suffer injury issues, it is plausible that Santos will soon be regarded as a straight alternative to the Belgium international.
The presence of Santos at Chelsea essentially means that they do not have to enter the market for someone capable of filling the void left when Lavia is on the sidelines.
If Chelsea were to be tempted to sell Santos, the realistic expectation is that any interested club would have to pay at least £40m given the player's development and contract length.
Chelsea paid Vasco Da Gama a fee in the region of £18m when agreeing a deal with them at the start of 2023.
Darren Plant
