Andrey Santos: How Man United landed sought-after midfield starlet

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·9 July 2026

Andrey Santos: How Man United landed sought-after midfield starlet

Manchester United agreed a deal for their second summer signing yesterday, with the news that a fee had been agreed with Chelsea for Andrey Santos.

Santos deal

A package of £50 million has been accepted by Chelsea for the Brazilian, and it looks to be United’s second signing of the summer after the club also agreed a fee with Atalanta for Ederson.

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A deal for Santos progressed rapidly after news broke just a few days ago, and this contrasted sharply with United’s long, drawn-out and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to capture Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United.

Beat rivals

The 22-year-old was the subject of interest from many teams, but United were able to find a way to come out on top and convince the player about their project.

TEAMtalk report that, “Manchester United have fought off significant competition from both the Premier League and Saudi Arabia to complete the signing of Andrey Santos.”

The site also asserts that he “was one of the most sought-after players in his position this summer.”

United did not have a free run at the player, though, and the site reports that Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Manchester City had all recently made enquiries over the availability of the deep-lying playmaker.

Manchester City expressed their interest in Santos during recent talks with Chelsea over new manager Enzo Maresca’s compensation package.

Aston Villa also reportedly got involved after Amadou Onana’s terrible injury during the World Cup.

Eddie Howe also saw Santos as a player who could fit “seamlessly” into his side after the departure of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur.

A copious amount of Saudi clubs were also said to be in the mix for the starlet.

Nonetheless, it was United who won out in the transfer battle, as he was won over early by United’s project.

TEAMtalk assert that, “Man Utd’s vision for the player, combined with the opportunity to become a central figure in their midfield rebuild, proved decisive.”