Chelsea could have a big decision to make involving Andrey Santos before the transfer window closes.
Manchester United are keen on signing Santos as they look to strengthen their midfield ahead of the new season.
As direct rivals in the Premier League, Chelsea selling Santos to United does not sound like a good idea.
However, they may have no choice but to, with the 22-year-old’s demands unlikely to be met at Stamford Bridge.
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Xabi Alonso can’t guarantee Andrey Santos a starting spot
According to journalist Simon Phillips via Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, Santos wants to be an “important” first-team starter next season.
Santos is a very capable midfielder, but there is just no way that Xabi Alonso will be able to guarantee him that sort of status.
Moises Caicedo is undroppable, while another £100m midfielder, Enzo Fernandez, could join him in the engine room next term if he remains in west London.
That leaves no room for Santos in the starting XI. Chelsea could also sign another midfielder this summer, which would make Santos’ situation even worse.
With all of that in mind, Chelsea may very well have to offload the Brazilian, who clearly does not fancy another year being a squad player.
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, as Andrey Santos of Chelsea prepares to enter the pitch
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
If Santos does leave Chelsea this summer, hopefully he does not join United and moves to a club in another league instead.
Chelsea and United are rivals and could both be competing for Champions League qualification once again.
Chelsea signing Granit Xhaka may have made things a little bit easier, but the Sunderland captain will not be reuniting with Alonso as things stand.
Santos is probably too good to be a bench player and would perhaps start for most Premier League clubs. But he is not better than Caicedo and Fernandez, and if the former Strasbourg loanee is not willing to play deputy to the pair, a transfer could be good for him.
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