Manchester United and Newcastle keen on Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos | OneFootball

Manchester United and Newcastle United are both interested in Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos.

The 22-year-old Brazilian has become the subject of intense speculation as rival clubs look to capitalise on Chelsea’s crowded midfield department, with the Blues reportedly placing a hefty £50 million valuation on the versatile midfielder to help fund their own summer business.

With Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez blocking his path to regular minutes, Santos is open to a permanent move away in pursuit of consistent first-team football after a series of loan spells.

Manchester United’s pursuit of Santos follows a pressing personnel crisis in their midfield. The Red Devils lack depth after the departure of veteran Casemiro, a situation made worse by Manuel Ugarte’s severe knee ligament injury suffered on international duty with Uruguay during their World Cup campaign.

Santos fits the tactical profile required at Old Trafford to partner Kobbie Mainoo, offering both defensive steel and a genuine box-to-box threat.

However, Newcastle United are also actively monitoring the situation. The Magpies are searching for midfield reinforcements to replace Sandro Tonali, who is set to join Tottenham Hotspur in a mammoth £100m deal.

Santos’ top-flight experience makes him an appealing option for Eddie Howe’s system as Newcastle look to reignite their push for European qualification after a disappointing 2025/26 season.

Chelsea are in a strong negotiating position, with Santos under contract until June 2030. However, with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy needing to balance the books and streamline a bloated squad, a deal with either Manchester United or Newcastle could move swiftly.