Arsenal wants to take advantage of the busy Chelsea team by landing Brazilian Andrey Santos this summer after his impressive loan spell in France
Arsenal wants to sign Andrey Santos van Rivals Chelsea – before he even played a game for the blues. The midfielder made an impression during a loan spell in Strasbourg and it is still to see whether he can find a route to the first team under Enzo Maresca.
Santos was signed from Vasco da Gama, but has allowed him to go his development with Stints on loan. And his exploits in France – where he scored nine times in 31 competitions – outings – attracted the attention of different clubs.
Strasbourg are Chelsea's sister club, but the blues may still have trouble retaining the Brazilian, although they have not shown a desire to be about the player. Le10 Sport claims that Arsenal and PSG work behind the scenes to sign the 21-year-old with Andrea Berta, the new sports director at the Emirates, who wants to close various deals in the coming transfer window.
The Parisians have had the chance to see Santos play against them and, after they have seen him up close, they are ready to fight it out with the Gunners for his signature this summer.
Santos could show an important fee with his ability to play in different positions in midfield. The issue for Chelsea will try to convince him that the path exists for him on Stamford Bridge with Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez for him.
Maresca was previously without obligation when it came to tackling the future of Santos last month. He said: “Now we know that Andrey is doing well. But at the moment we are only focused on how we end this season. And when we prepare this season, we will think about next season.”
The player himself seemed uncertain about his next move. Last month he said: “I don't think a specific decision has been made. Nobody started talking to me directly. Everything is in the hands of the club and my agents.”
Arsenal can present a route to more First team football and they want to be active this summer because they offer to win the Premier League at the fourth attempt. A second place on the bounce can be on the maps, with Mikel Arteta turning the team into contenders again, but eventually fails.
Berta arrived to replace Edu who was previously impressed by Atletico Madrid. Under his priorities this summer, a striker will sign, an area that Arsenal still has to tackle, with a wing player is also on the agenda.