In a recent report by L’Équipe, it has been revealed that Chelsea, the English football club, is set to loan Ângelo Gabriel, the talented 18-year-old winger from Santos FC, to RC Strasbourg Alsace, a team in France’s Ligue 1. While it was widely reported that Chelsea had agreed on a €15m permanent transfer deal with Santos FC for Gabriel, the young Brazilian player is expected to spend the upcoming season wearing the blue kit of RC Strasbourg instead of donning Chelsea blue in the Premier League.
According to the French publication, Gabriel had been closely followed by the recruitment team at RC Strasbourg for a considerable period. The acquisition of RC Strasbourg by BlueCo, the American owners of Chelsea FC, played a crucial role in securing Gabriel’s loan deal. Although Strasbourg president Marc Keller initially stated that receiving Chelsea loanees was not part of their project, Gabriel is set to trade Stamford Bridge for La Meinau, the home ground of RC Strasbourg.
Gabriel’s Move and Pre-Season Plans
L’Équipe’s sources indicate that Gabriel is expected to join RC Strasbourg at the beginning of August, coinciding with Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the United States. Chelsea intends for the young Brazilian talent to be part of their pre-season preparations, and subsequently, Gabriel will join the Patrick Vieira-led side in France.
The six-year deal that Gabriel is reportedly set to sign with Chelsea suggests a long-term investment in his potential. However, it appears that the club wants him to gain valuable experience and playing time at RC Strasbourg before potentially integrating him into their Premier League squad. This loan move provides Gabriel with an opportunity to further develop his skills in a competitive environment, under the guidance of Vieira, a former legendary player himself.
