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Chelsea have wasted no time making their mark in the summer transfer window, with activity on both ends of the deal spectrum as the Xabi Alonso era gets underway.
Among the departures is a midfield exit, with an agreement reached to sell 22-year-old Andrey Santos to Manchester United in a deal valued at $67 million (£50 million). The Blues stand to earn more than four times what they originally paid for the youngster, and his departure appears to signal the need for a replacement.
Should Chelsea venture back into the transfer market, here are five players who could step in for Santos.
Valentín Barco
It's entirely possible that Chelsea are moving Santos on because a new midfielder is already lined up to arrive.
Argentine international Valentín Barco is widely anticipated to become the third player to make the move from Strasbourg to Chelsea, following in the footsteps of Mamadou Sarr and Emmanuel Emegha. While neither club has made an official announcement, Barco has already publicly said his goodbyes to Strasbourg, and numerous reports point to Chelsea as his next destination.
Chelsea had their eye on Barco before his previous stint in the Premier League, but Brighton & Hove Albion beat them to his signature in 2024 when he was operating as a left back. Now 21, Barco has developed into a versatile midfielder who looks tailor-made to fill the gap Santos will leave behind.
Adam Wharton
Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton has gradually faded from the radar of several Premier League clubs. This is likely tied to his asking price, which is reportedly somewhere between $94 million (£70 million) and $134 million (£100 million).
That represents a significant outlay for a midfielder when Xabi Alonso's engine room already features Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández — though uncertainty surrounding the latter's future could create room for another high-profile signing.
Wharton shares similarities with Santos in that both are effective on either side of the ball, though the Palace man may have the edge when it comes to composure in possession. He would integrate naturally into Alonso's system and is certainly a name worth pursuing.
Alex Scott
The dynamics surrounding Wharton bear a striking resemblance to those involving Bournemouth's Alex Scott, whose profile has soared in recent months, attracting interest from several of the Premier League's elite clubs, Chelsea among them. In fact, some reports indicate he may be right at the very top of the Blues' wish list.
Bournemouth are keen to tie Scott down to a new deal and have him build on his exceptional 2025–26 season with the Cherries. The all-action midfielder, who is as comfortable driving forward with the ball as he is making a crunching challenge, has a contract running until 2028. If the club intends to receive a fair transfer fee, this summer may represent their final opportunity to cash in.
Even with the contract situation in mind, Scott will command a hefty price tag — though that is simply the reality for Premier League clubs chasing young, established talent within the division.
Pablo Barrios
Atlético Madrid have a well-earned reputation for developing elite midfielders. Pablo Barrios, 23, is the latest in a distinguished line of players to emerge from Diego Simeone's intense, high-demand environment and prove his quality at the top level.
Barrios epitomises the modern midfielder — equally comfortable pushing forward in attack or sitting deeper to shield the defense. His ideal role is one that lets him do both, showcasing his creative instincts while also requiring diligent off-ball movement and defensive awareness. Those who know Simeone's Atlético well will understand precisely why he flourishes in that kind of system.
From Chelsea's scouting perspective, he could represent the perfect profile. At 23, he is clearly a long-term investment, yet he already boasts well over 100 appearances at the highest level. Persuading Atlético to part with him won't be straightforward, but there's little question he would be worth the effort.
Éderson
With reports emerging that Manchester United's pursuit of Éderson has fallen through, could Chelsea swoop in to capitalise?
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Éderson has long been considered a player ready to make the step up to a bigger stage, and with his contract set to expire next year, Atalanta have already signalled their intentions by accepting a deal worth approximately $47 million (£35 million) for the Brazilian. Chelsea could fund the move using the Santos windfall and still have funds to spare.
Of course, this hinges on a medical and whether any concerns raised on United's side prove to be valid. If the 27-year-old receives the all-clear, he could still prove to be an astute piece of business.