Chelsea recall £18m midfielder from unsuccessful loan spell

Chelsea have confirmed that Andrey Santos has been recalled from an unsuccessful loan spell at Nottingham Forest.

The 19-year-old signed for Chelsea from Vasco da Gama last January but remained in his native Brazil until the summer, at which point he was granted a work permit to move to the UK.

Santos featured for the Blues in pre-season under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino and was in their matchday squad for their Premier League curtain-raiser at home to Liverpool, before joining Forest on loan for the rest of the 2023/24 campaign.

Despite high hopes for the season ahead, Santos played just two games in all competitions at the City Ground under Steve Cooper and was yet to feature at all under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo. Chelsea have now decided to recall him from his loan.

A statement from Forest read: “Chelsea have recalled midfielder Andrey Santos from his season-long loan at The City Ground. The Brazilian made two appearances for Forest, making his debut against Burnley in the Carabao Cup in August. Everyone at Nottingham Forest wishes Andrey well for the future.”

Chelsea have not yet decided whether to loan Santos out again or keep him in Pochettino’s squad for the remainder of the season. However, he will not be able to join a foreign club on loan as Chelsea have already filled their seven-player quote of loans abroad.

Though Santos has returned to west London, it is being widely reported that fellow young midfielder Alex Matos will be granted a loan exit, with Championship side Huddersfield Town heavily linked with a move for the 19-year-old. Chelsea have previously loaned a number of young players to the Terriers over the last few years, including Levi Colwill, Tino Anjorin, Kasey Palmer and Izzy Brown.