SullyTalkz Exclusive: Andrey Santos is finalising a £50 million move to Old Trafford following a personal meeting with Michael Carrick, providing crucial depth as Manchester United’s summer recruitment drive intensifies.
Roundtable understands that Andrey Santos is set to sign his five-year contract with Manchester United this afternoon (Friday) following a £50 million move from Chelsea.
United's interest in Santos came slightly out of the blue. Michael Carrick's club have been hunting for new midfielders this summer, and so far has only secured an agreement to sign Ederson from Atalanta for around £35 million.
The Reds had also held interest in Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali, although the former signed for Manchester City in a £116 million deal, while the latter two joined Tottenham for a combined £185 million.
While the club are still looking for a big-name third midfield signing as part of their project, they have now secured the services of fellow Brazilians Santos and Ederson, although United are conducting final medical checks before finalising a deal for the latter.
Sources: Santos to sign contract today
United's agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of Santos comprises a £48 million transfer fee, a further £2 million in achievable add-ons, and a 10% sell-on clause.
Roundtable understands that Santos has completed his medical with United and met with head coach Michael Carrick in person on Friday.
It is now expected that Santos will sign his five-year contract with an option to extend for a further season and undergo the usual media duties this afternoon (Friday) before being unveiled as a new first-team player.
This coincides with a return to Carrington for United's first-team players who have not competed in the 2026 World Cup, such as Benjamin Šeško, Mason Mount, and Bryan Mbeumo, on Thursday morning.
United running out of elite signings
While the pending transfers of Ederson and Santos do well to add much-needed depth to the first-team midfield department, they are running out of players on the market they would describe as elite recruits.
With Anderson, Fernandes, and Tonali now off the market, United had reportedly shifted their focus to Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni, whom they saw as an elite-level player who could raise the talent level in their squad.
However, fresh reports emerged that the French international had now agreed terms on a new contract at Madrid worth upward of £400,000 a week, which is well out of United's budget.
Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães is another player United have been linked with in the past, although the Brazilian international has reportedly informed the Magpies that he wishes to join Arsenal.
