Chelsea transfer news: Arsenal 'planning shock move' for prospect viewed as future Enzo Maresca star man

Arsenal are reportedly contemplating whether to launch another raid on Chelsea during the summer transfer window.

While the Gunners have missed out in the Premier League title race for the third successive campaign, there is still an opportunity to finish in second place in the standings.

Nevertheless, new sporting director Andrea Berta will already be hard at work ahead of the market reopening in June, the North Londoners expecting to be busy.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has allegedly already agreed to make the switch to the Emirates Stadium in a big-money deal.

Despite that only strengthening the options in the engine room, Le 10 Sport claims that Arteta and Berta have their eyes on acquiring another talent for that position.

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Arsenal working on Santos deal?

The report alleges that Arsenal are keen to negotiate a deal with Chelsea for Andrey Santos, who has proven to be a revelation on loan at Strasbourg over the past 15 months.

As well as contributing 11 goals and five assists from 44 appearances in all competitions, the Brazil international is one of the best players when it comes to winning duels in Ligue 1.

Such has been his impact in France that Enzo Maresca is said to be keen to integrate him into his Chelsea squad for the 2025-26 campaign and beyond.

Nevertheless, it is suggested that Arsenal's hierarchy are 'hard at work" to tempt Chelsea into a sale and Santos into a shock switch across London.

Arsenal currently face the prospect of Thomas Partey and Jorginho leaving on free transfers at the end of their contracts in June, subsequently resulting in reinforcements being required.

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Is a deal realistic?

Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have already allowed the likes of Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling to leave the club for Arsenal under their tenure.

That said, it would realistically take an astronomical offer for them to allow Santos to leave Chelsea at this point in his career when he is viewed in such high regard.

As it stands, the plan appears to be for Santos to compete with Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez next season with Chelsea already aware that they will be participating in one of the three European competitions.

When moving to Chelsea at the start of 2023, a £13m deal was agreed with Vasco Da Gama, and Santos's valuation is now more than double that outlay.

Furthermore, with Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Zubimendi in line to be the top four in Arteta's pecking order, it makes little sense for Santos to join at the back of the queue.

Written by
Darren Plant