Andrey Santos contract: Manchester United agree £50m deal to sign Brazilian midfielder from Chelsea
Andrey Santos joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama but has spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg.
Manchester United have agreed a £50 million deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea. The package breaks down into £48 million guaranteed, with £2 million in add-ons, while Chelsea retain a 10 per cent sell-on clause in any future sale.
Santos is now preparing to undergo a medical at the club. The 21-year-old joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama but has spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg. He featured in 43 matches for Chelsea across all competitions last season, scoring three goals and providing four assists.
Manchester United's strategy
The move addresses a clear need in Manchester United’s engine room. Casemiro departed at the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte faces a long-term absence after suffering an injury during Uruguay’s World Cup campaign. Another Brazilian midfielder, Ederson from Atalanta, is also expected to complete a transfer to Old Trafford in the coming days.
Crysencio Summerville remains top left-wing target as Marcus Rashford's future stays uncertain
United’s attention has also turned to the left wing, where Crysencio Summerville is the clear priority. Initial exploratory talks have taken place with West Ham, though Tottenham are understood to be monitoring the Dutch international closely. United previously lost out on midfield target Mateus Fernandes to Spurs this summer and are keen to avoid a repeat.
The club hopes to part-fund a move for Summerville through the potential sale of Marcus Rashford. The forward is due to return to Old Trafford after England’s post-World Cup break, though his arrival could be delayed well into August depending on how far the national team progresses. There remains a possibility that Rashford could stay and play a squad role.
Any pursuit of Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall has been placed on hold until further midfield options are secured.
Ruben Amorim issues public apology to Manchester United fans
In a separate development, former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has broken his silence for the first time since his January sacking. Now in charge at AC Milan, Amorim used his first press conference to address supporters directly and admit shortcomings during his 14 months at Old Trafford.
That spell included the club’s worst Premier League finish and a Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. Amorim was dismissed after a fiery post-match press conference following a 1-1 draw at Leeds.
Speaking in Milan, he said: “The only thing I can say is that I learned a lot and I made some mistakes. I didn’t have the opportunity - and I am sorry for that - to say something to the Manchester United fans at the moment. I am really proud to have been their coach for a year.”
Amorim expressed regret that he had been unable to speak to fans at the time of his departure.