January 31st 2024.
Reports have surfaced that Chelsea is working on a new loan deal for Andrey Santos, who is expected to leave before the transfer deadline on Thursday. The 19-year-old has had a frustrating six months at Nottingham Forest, where he only made one Premier League appearance. This came in a seven-minute cameo against Liverpool in October. With limited game time and hindered development, Chelsea invoked a break clause and recalled him at the start of the January window.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino had previously mentioned that he would evaluate Santos in training before deciding on his next move. However, the return of another loanee, Cesare Casadei, has only reduced the Brazilian's chances of playing. As per reports from the Evening Standard, Chelsea has decided to loan Santos out for a second time and has set their sights on sister club Strasbourg.
It is not the first time that Chelsea has sent a player to Strasbourg, as they have already loaned out winger Angelo Gabriel to the Ligue 1 side. Under the guidance of manager Patrick Vieira, the 19-year-old has featured in 18 matches. Laurence Stewart, who is co-sporting director at Chelsea, also plays a role in Strasbourg's recruitment strategy and is keen on sending Santos to France.
During his time at Nottingham Forest, Santos did not start a single league game for the struggling team. However, Vieira has given his approval for the move and is happy to have Santos as part of his squad for the second half of the season. He also hopes to bring in another winger to strengthen the team.
There were initial talks that Chelsea believed Santos was capable of playing at a higher level. However, with limited offers on the table, it seems like Strasbourg will be his next destination. Pochettino had previously mentioned that they would have an official meeting to discuss Santos' future upon his return from Forest.
With the transfer window open, Chelsea is constantly assessing their squad and making decisions. Pochettino is content with his current squad and is focused on the recovery of his players. However, they are still evaluating their options and have not made any final decisions yet.
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