Report: Arsenal push ahead in move for Chelsea midfielder amid PSG interest | OneFootball

Arsenal’s Midfield Ambitions Point to Chelsea’s Rising Star

Santos Making Strides in Strasbourg

At just 21 years of age, Andrey Santos is quietly becoming one of Europe’s most intriguing midfielders. Loaned out to Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg, his 2024/25 season has been defined by both elegance and output — 10 goals and 5 assists from midfield in 33 games is no small feat. The Brazilian’s form has not gone unnoticed, and now, according to FootballTransfers, Arsenal are “working hard” to bring him to the Emirates.

This isn’t a simple case of a loan star returning to warm the bench. Chelsea reportedly want Santos in Enzo Maresca’s squad next season, but with Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia all competing for midfield spots, the Stamford Bridge pathway looks crowded. Hence the growing noise of a potential exit.

Arsenal’s Evolving Midfield Puzzle

Arsenal’s pursuit of Santos is intriguing in its timing and tone. With Martin Zubimendi reportedly lined up as their first signing of the summer, per FootballTransfers, one might assume the midfield jigsaw is close to complete. Yet, Mikel Arteta seems to be pushing for another piece — one with energy, control, and attacking promise.

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The idea of pairing Zubimendi’s calm orchestration with Santos’ dynamism hints at a shift in Arsenal’s midfield identity. It’s less about recycling possession and more about dictating tempo with flair. For a club that came close but fell just short in recent seasons, it signals a doubling down on young, high-upside talent.

PSG Interest Adds Continental Tension

Paris Saint-Germain’s interest in Santos is nothing new. They had eyes on him during his Vasco da Gama days before Chelsea swooped in. That lingering admiration hasn’t faded. As Le10Sport reports, they remain “eager to bring him to the Parc des Princes.” The battle for Santos is shaping up as a pan-European tug of war, one likely to intensify if Chelsea signal any willingness to negotiate.

This isn’t a typical London-to-London deal either. Santos is still raw, still untested in the Premier League. Arsenal’s interest suggests they’re ready to take a calculated risk, betting on potential rather than past PL performances.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From an Arsenal standpoint, the reported interest in Andrey Santos reflects a broader strategy of identifying emerging talent with high ceilings. At just 21, Santos combines technical quality with a growing ability to influence games in the final third — attributes that would complement Mikel Arteta’s evolving midfield plans.

With Martin Zubimendi reportedly arriving as the club’s first summer signing, the addition of Santos would not be about immediate necessity but about future-proofing the squad. His performances at Strasbourg demonstrate a maturity beyond his years, and the numbers — 10 goals and 5 assists — point to a player capable of adapting to the demands of top-flight football.

Crucially, signing Santos would represent a continuation of Arsenal’s recent recruitment model: targeting players before their valuations peak. It’s a calculated approach that has served the club well with names like Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli.