Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has reportedly been subject to a jaw-dropping £60 million offer from Saudi Arabia.
The Brazilian returned from sister club Strasbourg in the summer and played a small role during Chelsea’s triumph at the Club World Cup, and Fabrizio Romano has tipped him for an eventual “important” role in west London.
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Chelsea’s summer transfers (permanent only) |
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Outgoing |
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Joao Pedro |
Noni Madueke |
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Jamie Gittens |
João Félix |
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Jorrel Hato |
Djordje Petrovic |
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Liam Delap |
Lesley Ugochukwu |
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Dario Essugo |
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall |
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Mamadou Sarr |
Renato Veiga |
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Estevao |
Armando Broja |
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Kendry Paez |
Carney Chukwuemeka |
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Alejandro Garnacho |
Mathis Amougou |
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Basir Humphreys |
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Kepa Arrizabalaga |
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Marcus Bettinelli |
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Christopher Nkunku |
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Nicolas Jackson (obligation to buy in 2026) |
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Alfie Gilchrist |
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Lucas Bergstrom |
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Ben Chilwell |
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Enzo Maresca sees him as a viable alternative to Moises Caicedo or Enzo Fernández, as well as a number six, with the Italian expressing his happiness over Santos’ availability as an option.
“First of all, I am very happy with Andrey and the idea that Andrey stays here with us,” said the Italian.
“He can play in Enzo Fernández or Moises Caicedo’s positions for sure. He played one game in the Club World Cup against Palmeiras where he was very good as a number six. So he can play in both positions very well.”
Despite approaches from the likes of Man United before Monday’s UK transfer deadline, the consensus is that Santos will stay at Chelsea this season, but Al-Qadsiah attempted to upset the applecart.
A surprise report from credible South American outlet UOL and journalist Thiago Arantes earlier this week shared news of a £60 million bid from Al-Qadsiah, which was rejected by Santos, despite Chelsea being prepared to entertain talks with the Middle East side.
Al-Qadsiah instead announced the signing of German Julian Weigl as an alternative after learning a move for Chelsea’s man wasn’t possible.
While Al-Qadsiah’s monumental offer to Santos, which was around five times what he currently earns at Stamford Bridge, wasn’t enough — the 21-year-old is actually ready to negotiate a Saudi transfer on one condition.
Andrey Santos ready to negotiate Chelsea exit to Saudi on one condition
According to Arantes and UOL again, the former Strasbourg sensation, who Liam Rosenior called “world-class” after an excellent 24/25 campaign in France, knows exactly what he’s looking for.
Santos is demanding around £269,000-per-week to leave Chelsea for Saudi, double Al Qadsiah’s offer, but only a wage of this magnitude could persuade the midfielder to leave Europe at this stage of his career.
His priority right now is to stay on the continent and establish himself as a Premier League player, so it’s going to take a sky-high proposal to make him think.
Santos, regardless of his young age, captained Strasbourg on occasion last term and has already demonstrated admirable leadership qualities, like a fierce work ethic.
“He was great. He constantly shows professionalism every day in his work, he constantly wants to improve and constantly trains at 100%,” said Rosenior last season.
“There were other players that had a worthy cause to be captain, but I felt that Andrey was the right choice. I felt that he didn’t do the armband any disservice at all.”
