Arsenal looking to raid Chelsea for shock player nobody expected as Mikel Arteta targets bitter rivals

Arsenal working hard to sign Chelsea’s Andrey Santos in shock transfer move as Mikel Arteta targets Premier League rivals amidst competition from PSG. The surprising development comes as Arsenal look to strengthen their squad following another trophy-less season where they missed out on both the Champions League after elimination by Paris Saint-Germain and the Premier League title which Liverpool secured for their 20th English championship.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly determined to secure the signature of the Brazilian midfielder though they face significant competition from PSG who are also monitoring the player’s situation closely according to Le 10 Sport. The potential transfer is particularly noteworthy given the fierce rivalry between the two London clubs making it a controversial potential move that few would have anticipated. Santos joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Brazilian club Vasco da Gama but has yet to make a single appearance for the Blues instead being sent on a series of loan moves including back to his former club briefly before struggling during a spell at Nottingham Forest where he made just two appearances in five months before being recalled.

The 21-year-old midfielder is currently on loan at Strasbourg where his loan was extended for a second season last summer providing him with more consistent playing time and development opportunities. It remains unclear whether Chelsea would be willing to sell the promising young talent especially to a direct Premier League rival however Arsenal appear determined to test their resolve. Arsenal have demonstrated their willingness to invest significantly in recent transfer windows bringing in players like Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino last summer as they continue building a squad capable of competing for major honors. Arteta has previously indicated that the club is prepared for another substantial transfer window stating that they are ready for a big summer of spending as they look to increase both the depth and quality of their squad. The Arsenal manager has acknowledged the need to take the next step with targeted acquisitions saying Now we want to increase the depth of the squad but as well we want to increase the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step. It’s going to be a big one and we are very excited about it.

This potential move for Santos demonstrates Arsenal’s ambitious approach to the transfer market as they seek to close the gap on Liverpool and position themselves for success in both domestic and European competitions next season. The midfielder’s acquisition would provide additional options in the center of the park where Arsenal have sometimes lacked depth particularly when key players have been unavailable through injury or suspension. Despite his limited appearances in England Santos remains highly regarded as a prospect with significant potential which explains the interest from clubs of Arsenal and PSG’s stature.

His performances for Strasbourg have helped maintain his profile despite his challenges in establishing himself at Stamford Bridge. The competition from PSG adds another layer of complexity to any potential deal with the French giants able to offer Champions League football and substantial financial packages to attract players. This means Arsenal may need to present a compelling sporting project to convince Santos that north London is the right destination for his career development. Chelsea’s willingness to negotiate with Arsenal remains the biggest question mark hanging over any potential deal given the historical rivalry between the clubs. While transfers between the London rivals aren’t unprecedented they remain relatively rare particularly for promising young players. The Blues may prefer to send Santos abroad rather than strengthening a direct competitor if they do decide his future lies away from Stamford Bridge. Arsenal’s interest in Santos comes after a season of progress but ultimate disappointment for the Gunners who pushed Liverpool close in the Premier League and advanced to the later stages of the Champions League before falling short in both competitions.

These near misses have apparently convinced Arteta and the club’s hierarchy that further reinforcement is needed if they are to take the final step from challengers to champions. Santos would represent a somewhat unexpected addition to Arsenal’s midfield options but his profile as a young developing talent with significant upside aligns with the club’s recent recruitment strategy which has focused on players with potential for growth rather than established stars. The Brazilian midfielder’s technical abilities and physical attributes make him well suited to the Premier League and Arteta’s style of play which emphasizes technical security in possession and progressive passing from deep areas. His development at Strasbourg has reportedly impressed Arsenal’s scouting department leading to this surprise interest.

The potential transfer also reflects the changing dynamics in English football with Arsenal showing increased financial muscle and willingness to target players from traditional rivals a sign of their growing confidence and ambition under Arteta’s management. After several seasons of careful rebuilding the Gunners now appear ready to make bold moves in the transfer market as they seek to establish themselves as consistent title contenders. Whether Chelsea would sanction such a move remains to be seen but Arsenal’s interest alone signals their intent for the upcoming window. The emergence of this story so early in the pre-summer period suggests Arsenal are looking to conduct their business efficiently giving themselves plenty of time to integrate new signings before the 2025-26 season begins. This proactive approach contrasts with some previous windows where deals were completed later in the summer sometimes leaving limited time for new arrivals to adapt before competitive fixtures began. For Santos himself a move to Arsenal could represent an opportunity to establish himself in English football after a challenging start following his arrival from Brazil. Working under Arteta who has shown an ability to develop young players might appeal to the midfielder as he looks to fulfill the potential that prompted Chelsea to sign him in the first place. The midfielder’s situation at Chelsea appears complicated with the player seemingly not part of the club’s immediate plans despite the investment made in bringing him to London.

This disconnect between his signing and subsequent loan moves suggests a lack of clear planning regarding his development pathway something Arsenal might look to exploit in negotiations. The Arsenal fanbase will likely be intrigued by the prospect of signing a talented young player from a rival particularly one who has yet to establish himself at his parent club. Such a move would carry echoes of previous transfers that have seen players move between rival London clubs and subsequently flourish in new surroundings. For Chelsea supporters any potential sale would likely be viewed with suspicion particularly if Santos were to develop into a key player for Arsenal in future seasons.

The Blues have previously sold players who have gone on to excel elsewhere leading to criticism of their player trading model and youth development approach. If Arsenal were successful in securing Santos it would represent a significant coup and potentially another example of smart recruitment from Edu and Arteta who have generally made astute signings during their time working together at the Emirates. Their focus on specific profiles who fit the team’s playing style has yielded positive results in recent seasons with many new arrivals adapting quickly to life in north London. Santos would be expected to provide competition in midfield where Arsenal currently rely heavily on players like Thomas Partey Declan Rice and the aforementioned Merino.

Additional depth in this area would allow Arteta more tactical flexibility and help the team cope with the demands of competing across multiple competitions throughout the season. The challenging nature of modern football with its congested fixture schedule makes squad depth increasingly important particularly for clubs with ambitions of competing in the latter stages of European competition while maintaining a strong domestic challenge. Arsenal’s interest in Santos might also be influenced by the potential for future sales or contract situations among their current midfield options with squad planning requiring a long-term view rather than merely addressing immediate needs.

Recruiting promising young talent ensures the team can evolve over time rather than requiring wholesale changes when established players move on or decline. PSG’s rival interest adds another dimension to the story with the French champions possessing significant financial resources and the lure of guaranteed Champions League football. Competing with such clubs for transfer targets demonstrates Arsenal’s growing status in the European football hierarchy even if they haven’t yet translated that into major trophy success under Arteta. The coming weeks will likely bring more clarity regarding Santos’s future and whether Arsenal’s reported interest develops into a formal approach. Chelsea’s stance will be crucial with the Blues needing to decide whether they see a long-term future for the player at Stamford Bridge or are willing to cut their losses on a signing who has yet to make an impact for them.

Arsenal’s approach to the transfer market has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years with extensive data analysis and scouting informing their recruitment decisions. This methodical approach has generally yielded positive results with the quality of their signings improving noticeably compared to previous eras. If Santos does become an Arsenal player it will likely be the result of thorough research and a clear plan for how he fits into the team’s playing style and future development rather than an opportunistic move. The potential transfer represents the type of under-the-radar acquisition that can sometimes yield significant value for clubs willing to look beyond the obvious targets pursued by their competitors. While Santos hasn’t yet established himself in European football his potential remains highly regarded which explains why clubs of Arsenal and PSG’s stature are monitoring his situation despite his limited playing time at senior level in top European leagues. For Arteta securing such a signing would represent another step in his project to build a squad capable of sustained success rather than merely challenging sporadically. The Spaniard has emphasized the need for continuous improvement and refusing to accept near misses as acceptable outcomes a philosophy that appears to be guiding Arsenal’s transfer strategy as they look to strengthen again this summer.

The reported interest in Santos comes against the backdrop of Arsenal’s continued evolution under Arteta with the team showing clear tactical development and improved resilience compared to his early days in charge. Adding further quality to the squad represents the next logical step in this progression as they seek to overcome the final hurdles separating them from major trophy success. Whether Chelsea would be willing to strengthen a direct rival remains the key question particularly given the competitive relationship between the clubs. While football is increasingly a business with decisions made on financial rather than emotional grounds selling a promising young player to Arsenal would likely be controversial among the Chelsea fanbase especially if Santos were to flourish at the Emirates. The coming transfer window promises to be fascinating for Arsenal fans with the club clearly ambitious to build on their progress in recent seasons. The reported interest in Santos represents just one potential deal among many that will likely emerge as the summer approaches with the Gunners expected to be active across multiple positions as they seek to construct a squad capable of ending their wait for another Premier League title. For Chelsea the situation represents another test of their player trading model which has seen numerous young talents signed but then loaned out without making an impact at Stamford Bridge. The club’s willingness to sell to Arsenal would indicate a significant shift in their assessment of Santos’s potential or their confidence that he won’t develop into a player they’ll regret losing. As the summer transfer window approaches football fans will be watching closely to see if this surprising link develops into something more concrete or remains merely speculative reporting.

Either way it provides an early indication of what could be a fascinating period of player movement with Arsenal clearly intent on strengthening significantly as they look to go one better next season. The potential Santos deal will likely be just one of many stories to emerge in what promises to be another summer of significant investment across the Premier League as the division’s top clubs look to position themselves for success in the 2025-26 campaign and beyond. Arsenal’s reported interest in Santos represents their ambition to continue strengthening in key areas as they seek to build a squad capable of winning major trophies and ending their recent run of near misses in the pursuit of silverware.