Chelsea handed potential fresh transfer option amid imminent January decision

Andrey Santos’ short-term future at Chelsea is set to be decided next month once he returns from Brazil duty.

The 19-year-old’s season-long loan at Nottingham Forest was brought to an end by Chelsea in January after featuring just twice for the Premier League side.

It was a decision made together by Chelsea and Andrey, who took responsibility for the failed loan switch.

He told ge.globo earlier this month: “It was my choice (the loan). Unfortunately it wasn’t how we all imagined. I imagined that I was going to play and so on, I was always ready, always well, but it was the coach’s choice, and I respect it. 

“I continued working and, thank God, I’m back at Chelsea, ready to do my best in any team I’m in.”

Andrey is now with the Pre-Olympic squad and will return to Chelsea next month. A decision over his short-term future will be made with head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

All of Chelsea’s seven international loan spots were taken up following Ian Maatsen’s loan switch to Borussia Dortmund. However, as reported in France, Diego Moreira’s loan spell with Lyon is to be cut short.

As reported by Fabrice Hawkins, Moreira was not training with Lyon on Sunday morning and will travel to London in the next 24 hours, which will see his loan move be officially cut short.

It means there will be one loan slot left for Chelsea to send a player out on loan abroad. With Andrey not coming back until next month, it gives Pochettino the option of either keeping him, sending him to another English club, or even finding a European suitor for the Brazilian until the end of the season.

The same applies for Cesare Casadei who was recalled from Leicester City, although it’s been claimed the 21-year-old will be part of Pochettino’s first-team plans.

No official confirmation has yet come from Moreira’s return, however it’s likely it will come early next week once everything is formalised.