Manchester United have agreed terms with Chelsea to bring in Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos for a fee that could reach £50 million.
The deal includes an initial payment of £48 million, plus up to £2 million in add‑ons, and Chelsea have retained a 10 % sell‑on clause.
Santos is now cleared to undergo a medical before the transfer is finalised at Old Trafford.
United are also preparing for the arrival of another Brazilian, Ederson, who will undergo a medical ahead of a proposed £35 million move from Atalanta after Brazil’s World Cup exit.
The double signing comes as United’s senior squad returns for pre‑season training on Thursday, with the club keen to bolster a midfield that has been a concern.
Securing a central midfielder became a top priority after Casemiro’s contract expired, and the urgency grew when Manuel Ugarte suffered a cruciate ligament injury, ruling him out for an extended period.
United looked at other targets before settling on Santos; a bid for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson was deemed too costly as his price tag exceeded £110 million.
The club also pursued West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, but Tottenham secured him with a guaranteed £85 million offer.
With Kobbie Mainoo still on World Cup duty with England, United would have entered their pre‑season fixture against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July with only Mason Mount as a recognised senior central midfielder.
Santos is set to become Chelsea’s third major summer departure, following Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid and Tyrique George’s transfer to Everton.
About the Author
