Chelsea Midfielder Andrey Santos Rejects £60m Saudi Offer to Pursue World Cup Dream

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, who joined the club from Vasco da Gama in 2023, declined a lucrative £60 million transfer offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah despite being offered a salary five times higher than his current wages. Santos' primary motivation for staying at Chelsea is his ambition to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Brazil, believing that playing in the Premier League gives him a better chance of making the national squad. Despite a challenging loan spell at Nottingham Forest and a more successful stint at Strasbourg, Santos has begun to play a more active role at Chelsea under manager Enzo Maresca. The midfielder also turned down interest from Premier League clubs including Arsenal and West Ham United during the summer transfer window, further solidifying his commitment to Chelsea. Chelsea had been open to negotiating Santos' sale, but the player's focus on international aspirations ultimately kept him at Stamford Bridge. Santos has earned three caps for Brazil and views staying in England as vital to achieving his World Cup dreams.