Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos on loan at Strasbourg, West Ham
Credit: Imago
Evan Lloyd
Wed 20 August 2025 9:49, UK
West Ham have made an approach to sign Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos.
Graham Potter is keen to add a new midfielder to his squad in the closing days of the transfer window, with West Ham also keen on Barcelona talent Marc Casado.
Edson Alvarez is expected to join Turkish club Fenerbahce in the coming days, after the Mexico international agreed personal terms on an exit.
And West Ham are interested in Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes, but the Saints’ asking price is expected to create a problem for decision-makers at The London Stadium.
Edson Alvarez
Alvarez is expected to leave West Ham (Credit: Imago)
West Ham have approach ‘knocked back’ for Andrey Santos
West Ham were smashed 3-0 in their Premier League opener against Sunderland, with a calamitous display at The Stadium of Light exposing several weaknesses within Potter’s team.
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Among them was the Hammers’ lack of quality in midfield, which, combined with a lack of physicality, led to Black Cats domination.
James Ward-Prowse and Guido Rodriguez were the two selected from the start, but neither midfielder managed to make an impression on the game.
Potter is hoping to add a new option to his squad and has identified Santos among his favoured targets.
The Brazilian spent last season on loan at Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, after he was signed by sister club Chelsea in 2023.
Andrey Santos Ligue 1 2024/25 (per 90)
Shots 1.51
Pass completion 88.1%
Tackles 3.45
Blocks 1.44
Stats via FBref
In France, Santos thrived, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists as his side qualified for the Europa League.
But the 21-year-old will face plenty of competition at Chelsea, with several options appearing ahead of him in Enzo Maresca’s squad.
That has opened the door to a potential departure, with Jacob Steinberg reporting on 20 August that West Ham made an initial approach, which was “knocked back”.
Santos is described as an unrealistic target for the Hammers, with Chelsea likely to expect a mammoth fee.
Andrey Santos would be the all-action midfielder West Ham need
Santos is all-action, box-to-box, offering quality going forwards and back. The midfielder registered superb defensive numbers in Ligue 1 last season, whilst getting involved in most attacks.
With West Ham’s options in the middle ageing and sluggish, the Brazilian would offer exactly the type of energy that Potter is after.
But that means Santos would also garner a huge price tag, one which David Sullivan would, unfortunately, not be willing to meet.
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