Chelsea make U-turn on future of £18million star ahead of pre-season tour

Andrey Santos will join Chelsea on their pre-season tour of the USA (Photo: Getty)

Chelsea have reportedly changed their mind over Andrey Santos’ immediate future, with the young star set to be loaned out next season.

Santos signed for the Blues in January 2023 for a fee in the region of £10-£18million but is yet to make his debut for the West Londoners.

He spent the first-half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest but was recalled having made just two appearances for the Premier League club.

The midfielder was then sent to Strasbourg, the French side who were bought by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly last summer, where he made a great impression, winning the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Month award in March.

It was reported in June that Chelsea had no interest in letting the 20-year-old leave Stamford Bridge again, believing the Brazilian to be a perfect fit for new manager Enzo Maresca’s style of play.

However, that appears to have changed with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the decision has been made to loan Santos back to Strasbourg for the 2024/25 campaign.

That does not mean that his valuation at Chelsea has lowered, with the club still viewing the young star as a big player for the future.

Santos impressed on loan at Strasbourg (Photo: Getty)

It is also said that other clubs around Europe were very interested in acquiring his services, including Borussia Dortmund.

Santos won’t join up with Strasbourg straight away however, instead he will join Chelsea on their pre-season tour of the USA, which begins on Thursday against Wrexham in San Francisco.

Strasbourg will have a new manager for the next campaign after Patrick Vieira was sacked after a single season in charge, with former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior said to be his replacement.

Romano adds that Rosenior, who was surprisingly sacked by the Tigers after guiding them to seventh in the Championship, has already spoken to Santos about his plans for him.

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