How Man Utd's Reported Andrey Santos Deal Could Ignite Their Midfield Revolution

Manchester United have reached an agreement with Chelsea to acquire Andrey Santos in a deal totaling $66.9 million (£50 million), according to multiple reports.

The versatile Brazilian midfielder only emerged as a surprise target for United within the past few days. Driven by Santos's desire for regular first-team football and Chelsea's readiness to accept the attractive offer presented, the Red Devils moved quickly to seal the transfer.

Santos is expected to join United for an initial fee of $64.3 million, with an additional $2.7 million available in add-ons considered "achievable" by The Telegraph. Chelsea will also receive 10% of any profit United generate from a future sale.

Midfield has been a persistent concern for United throughout the summer. That was before Manuel Ugarte sustained a serious knee injury likely to rule him out for most of the 2026–27 campaign. With Casemiro having departed, Kobbie Mainoo remains the only senior central midfielder operating behind Bruno Fernandes.

The signing of Santos — who only established himself in the Chelsea side when his former Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior briefly took the reins last season — provides some reinforcement, though considerable work still remains.

Will Man Utd Still Sign Éderson After Agreeing Andrey Santos Deal?

Éderson has been caught in transfer uncertainty for weeks. The Atalanta midfielder — technically still under contract there — reportedly agreed personal terms with United worth approximately $52 million back in early June. However, an unexpected call-up to Brazil's World Cup squad delayed any formal announcement.

Following an early exit in the round of 16, Éderson is now scheduled to undergo a second medical at Manchester United. Barring any unforeseen issues from his two substitute appearances in the U.S., the fit 27-year-old is anticipated to be officially unveiled within the coming days.

United's spending, however, doesn't end there. While Éderson and Santos would add bite to the base of Michael Carrick's revamped midfield, neither represents the headline signing the club has been pursuing throughout the summer.

Having missed out on both Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, United's search continues. According to The Athletic, the club's plan from the outset has been to bring in three midfielders.

'Doubts' Emerge Over Aurélien Tchouaméni

United's pursuit of a third new midfielder has apparently led them to Aurélien Tchouaméni. If the France international was deemed capable of replacing Casemiro at Real Madrid, the reasoning goes that he could fill a similar role at Old Trafford.

The logic holds up until Real Madrid's negotiating stance is taken into account. The Telegraph reports that United have reservations about the size of the fee required to prise Tchouaméni away from the Spanish capital. The Red Devils have already shown reluctance this summer to match the levels of expenditure committed by Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur on midfield additions.

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At 26 years old with two years remaining on his deal, Tchouaméni will not come at a bargain price.

There is also an increasing possibility that the player himself has little interest in leaving. Despite a very public altercation with teammate Federico Valverde at the end of the season — which resulted in Valverde being hospitalized — it appeared that at least one of the two would depart. Yet the appointment of José Mourinho has raised hopes of a fresh start under new management, with reports now questioning whether Tchouaméni would even consider a transfer.