Inter Milan Eyes Chelsea's Andrey Santos: A Potential Midfield Shake-Up
Inter Milan is not just focused on Vicario in the transfer market. The Nerazzurri are showing interest in Chelsea's Andrey Santos, signaling a potential shift in their midfield strategy. Dive into the latest transfer whispers from the Premier League.
Vicario is not the Nerazzurri’s only target in the Premier League transfer market.Inter are once again looking to the Premier League transfer market.A year after signing Swiss defender Manuel Akanji (whose contract is set to be bought out at the end of this season for €15 million) from Manchester City, sporting director Piero Ausilio has already set to work to try and bring Guglielmo Vicario (born 1996) back to Italy, having previously been in talks with him before his move from Empoli to Tottenham for €18.5 million in the summer of 2023.The Italian goalkeeper is the Nerazzurri’s first, but not their only, target in the English transfer market.SportItalia reports that Inter are interested in Andrey Santos.The Brazilian midfielder, born in 2004, is under contract until June 2030 with Chelsea, who signed him for €12.5 million from Vasco da Gama in 2023. Following loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg, he returned to London, where he has so far made 40 appearances, scoring one goal, providing five assists and picking up eight yellow cards.The Nerazzurri officials had already discussed the matter with his agent Giuliano Bertolucci last year, when the conditions were not right to take the negotiations forward, and have now re-established contact to see if the situation has changed in the meantime and whether there is scope to reopen talks.Looking ahead to next season, Chivu’s plan is to change the team’s system, switching from a three-man midfield to a two-man central midfield.It is a role that none of Inter’s current seven midfielders naturally fits into: from Barella to Zielinski, via Calhanoglu, Diouf, Frattesi, Mkhitaryan and Sucic. Of all of them, perhaps the former Napoli player from Poland is the only one 100% certain to stay in Milan, whilst the others could well be on the move.Andrey Santos can play as an inside midfielder in a three-man midfield, but also as a central midfielder, as demonstrated at Chelsea alongside Ecuadorian Moises Caicedo and in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil side alongside his Newcastle compatriot Bruno Guimaraes.It is no coincidence that Inter are reportedly tracking other midfielders capable of playing in a two-man central midfield: France’s Manu Koné of Roma and Germany’s Leon Goretzka, whose contract with Bayern Munich expires in June.Not to mention Serbian Aleksander Stankovic, whom the Nerazzurri are ready to bring back to Italy by paying Bruges the €23 million stipulated in the buy-back clause.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Inter’s Pursuit of Andrey Santos
SportItalia reports that Inter Milan has set their sights on securing the services of Andrey Santos, the dynamic Brazilian midfielder currently under contract with Chelsea. Born in 2004, Santos joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in 2023 and has since shown promise during loan spells and upon his return to the English capital. With Inter keen on bolstering their midfield options, Santos has emerged as a prime target for the Nerazzurri.
Changing Tactics and Recruitment Drive
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Inter's manager Chivu is planning a tactical revamp, considering a shift from a three-man to a two-man central midfield setup. This strategic adjustment necessitates the recruitment of players suited to the revised system. While current midfielders like Barella and Zielinski face uncertain futures, Santos's versatility and adaptability make him an appealing prospect for Inter's evolving needs.
Competing Targets and Transfer Radar
Inter Milan's interest in Andrey Santos is part of a broader recruitment drive in the midfield department. Reports suggest the Nerazzurri are also monitoring the situations of other midfielders like Manu Koné from Roma and Leon Goretzka from Bayern Munich. Additionally, the potential return of Serbian talent Aleksander Stankovic further showcases Inter's ambition to fortify their midfield options for the challenges ahead.



