Manchester United have completed the signing of Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos in a £50million deal, as the club overhauls its midfield options ahead of the new Premier League season. The move comes as United pull out of a separate £39million pursuit of Atalanta’s Ederson, turning their attention instead to Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans in a deal reportedly worth £35million.
Andrey Santos, 22, has signed a contract at Old Trafford running until 2031, with the club holding an option to extend the deal by a further year. The Brazilian midfielder made 43 appearances for Chelsea last season before completing his move to one of the club’s Premier League rivals. Speaking after the signing was confirmed, Santos described joining Manchester United as a dream come true, calling it one of the proudest moments of his career, and said he was looking forward to working under the club’s new coaching staff.
Immediate involvement in pre-season
Manchester United confirmed that Santos will link up with the squad straight away, allowing him to begin training with his new teammates ahead of the Premier League campaign. The club’s sporting department praised the midfielder as one of the most promising young talents in world football, pointing to his technical ability, energy and tactical intelligence as the key factors behind the transfer.
United change direction in midfield search
The Santos deal comes alongside a shift in United’s other midfield targets. Reports indicate the club has ended its interest in Atalanta’s Ederson after choosing not to match the Italian side’s valuation of the player. In his place, United are said to be preparing to intensify their pursuit of Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans, with the Belgium international now understood to be the club’s preferred choice to add further depth and experience to the midfield.
