Midfielder was under contract with Chelsea until 2030 but is seeking regular first-team football
Manchester United have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Andrey Santos in a move that continues the club’s rebuild of its midfield before the new season.
United will pay an initial £48m, with a further £2m in bonuses that are considered easily achievable. Chelsea will also retain a 10% sell-on clause as part of the agreement. Santos has already agreed personal terms and has been given permission to travel for a medical and complete the transfer.
The Brazil international was under contract with Chelsea until 2030 but had been seeking regular first-team football. Although Chelsea rate the 22-year-old highly, his route into the starting side became more difficult after Moises Caicedo signed a contract extension until 2033 earlier this year.
Santos can play as either a holding midfielder or in a more advanced central role, offering United options after a summer in which strengthening the middle of the pitch became a priority. Casemiro left Old Trafford when his contract expired at the end of last season, while Manuel Ugarte faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage during Uruguay’s World Cup defeat by Spain.
United explored several alternatives before reaching an agreement for Santos. They showed interest in Elliot Anderson before the England midfielder joined Manchester City, and also pursued Mateus Fernandes before Tottenham met West Ham’s valuation.
Santos joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in January 2023 but spent much of his time away from Stamford Bridge. A brief loan spell at Nottingham Forest brought only two appearances before he impressed during an 18-month stay at Strasbourg, where he scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 45 matches.
He returned to Chelsea last season and made 43 appearances in all competitions, contributing three goals and four assists. Santos has won six caps for Brazil, although he was not included in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.
United have also agreed a deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson for an initial £35m plus add-ons, although that transfer has been delayed following the Brazilian’s late World Cup call-up.
