Manchester United has confirmed the signing of Brazil midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a deal worth £48m, while the club continues to push forward with plans to reshape its midfield options. The 22-year-old has completed his medical and signed a contract running until June 2031, with the club holding the option to extend the agreement by another year.
Director of football Jason Wilcox described Santos as a priority target, highlighting his technical quality and ability to influence matches in both attacking and defensive phases. Wilcox also pointed to the midfielder’s leadership qualities, significant experience despite his age, and the belief that there is still plenty of room for him to improve in the years ahead.
Santos arrives after playing 43 matches for Chelsea last season and being part of the squad that lifted the Club World Cup in 2025. Although he was not included in Brazil’s World Cup squad, he has already joined training with his new teammates and could make his first appearance during United’s opening pre-season fixture against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July.
Midfielder eager to work under Carrick
Speaking after completing the move, Santos described joining Manchester United as a special moment, saying it was an honour to represent a club associated with many of his footballing idols. He also expressed excitement about beginning the next stage of his career at Old Trafford.
The Brazilian said he is especially looking forward to learning from head coach Michael Carrick, believing the former England midfielder is ideally placed to help him continue his development. Santos added that conversations about the club’s ambition and the atmosphere within the squad convinced him he was joining a group capable of challenging for major honours.
Having already taken part in training sessions, Santos has wasted little time integrating into his new surroundings as preparations continue ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Tielemans talks gather momentum
United’s business in midfield may not end with Santos, as negotiations over Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans have progressed significantly. BBC Sport understands the Belgium international has a release clause in his Villa contract, making discussions more straightforward, with confidence growing that an agreement can be reached.
Tielemans featured prominently during Belgium’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals before missing the 2-1 defeat against Spain after suffering an injury during the warm-up. His potential arrival would provide another experienced option in a position United has been eager to reinforce throughout the transfer window.
The need for additions became increasingly clear following Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s knee injury, which left Kobbie Mainoo as the club’s only experienced orthodox central midfielder. United also failed in attempts to recruit Elliot Anderson, who chose Manchester City, while Mateus Fernandes completed a move from West Ham to Tottenham Hotspur instead.
Ederson’s pursuit halted after medical findings
At the same time, United have stepped away from their proposed £35m deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson after concerns emerged during his medical assessment. Initial examinations in the United States identified an issue, prompting the player to travel to England for further specialist testing following Brazil’s last-16 World Cup defeat to Norway.
The outcome of those assessments convinced United not to proceed under the previously agreed conditions. Club sources have indicated that while the move has been abandoned for now, it could be revisited later in the transfer window should circumstances change, although any renewed negotiations would not be conducted on the original financial terms.
Officials have stressed that the decision was made with the club’s long-term interests in mind, while also making it clear that the signing of Santos was pursued independently and was not a response to the complications surrounding the proposed transfer for Ederson.
