Arsenal make shock Chelsea transfer raid for UNSETTLED star: Gunners eye ‘best player in the world’

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 24 Apr 2025 05:17 CDT
• 5 min read

News

Arsenal are ready to raid Premier League rivals Chelsea for a star who has recently been branded the ‘best player in the world’ by one of his team-mates.

The door has been opened to Arsenal making a move for central midfielder Andrey Santos, who has spent the season on loan at Strasbourg, where he has been a leading figure in Ligue 1 for Liam Rosenior’s side this term.

Current ETV

Andrey Santos

M, DM (C)

Strasbourg

Andrey Santos

M, DM (C)

Strasbourg

€26.8M

ETV Range

€24.2M - €29.5M

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Previously, Fabrizio Romano claimed that the Brazilian would be heading back to Stamford Bridge in the summer, but it is now claimed that Andrey Santos is unsettled with his status at Chelsea. As a result, Caught Offside claims that a deal worth around €45-50 million is possible.

Arsenal’s interest has been piqued by this development, despite the fact that Mikel Arteta’s side are in the process of renewing Thomas Partey’s contract.

The Gunners are not alone in following the progress of the 20-year-old star. Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan are all tracking the player.

Andrey Santos: Declan Rice’s right-hand man?

Andrey Santos has not been short of fans at Strasbourg this season, with the Brazilian providing the fuel for the Champions League push that the Alsace side have produced this season.

“He’s the best player in the world,” Diego Moreira declared following Racing’s 2-1 win over Toulouse in March.

Similarly, Rosenior has sung the praises of the midfielder, who could find his place at Chelsea taken by €22m summer signing Dario Essugo.

Speaking after that same fixture, the Englishman declared: “He’s one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1. He’s present in both boxes. He wins a lot of balls, his technique and his decisions bring a lot to the team. He’s got a really strong daily work ethic.

“His goal was world class, just like his whole season.”

These box-to-box qualities are reminiscent of what Declan Rice brings to Arteta’s side, and it may be that Andrey Santos is seen as a deputy for the England international at the Emirates in the short term.

Arsenal, meanwhile, may work on his price. Andrey Santos has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €26.8m, which is some way below the figure Chelsea are holding out for and puts some doubt on this deal coming to fruition.

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