Andrey Santos: Why Man United must sign Chelsea star instead of Ederson | OneFootball

Manchester United are set to complete their first signing of the summer transfer window once Ederson undergoes a medical this week. The deal – worth an initial £35 million with £3.8m in add-ons – was agreed last month, only for the 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder to receive a late call-up for the World Cup.

With Carlo Ancelotti’s side having been eliminated by Norway in the last sixteen on Sunday evening, Ederson will now travel to England to complete his switch to Old Trafford. However, in the build-up to the match in New York, there were claims in his homeland that the move had “collapsed”.

United figures moved quickly to brief trusted journalists that this was not the case, as they were conscious of not disrupting their prospective signing’s preparation for a pivotal World Cup clash. But the news sparked considerable reaction online, with many fans and tacticos alike signalling their approval of the deal falling through.

And while this is an unpleasant reaction for a player who is clearly desperate to become a Red Devil, the unfortunate truth is this: it would be better if the transfer were called off, given a superior alternative – a compatriot of Ederson no less – has emerged as a leading target in M16.

Brazil’s Next No.6

Andrey Santos, 22, is a long-term target for Manchester United, with advances made for the Chelsea midfielder when the two clubs were negotiating Alejandro Garnacho’s £40 million switch last summer.

At that point, the Blues were adamant the Brazil international was not for sale. He is highly rated at Stamford Bridge, having previously been described as “outstanding” and “world class” by Liam Rosenior. His versatility – being capable of playing as a No.6 or No.8 – a valued attribute in his role as a squad player.

However, Santos is no longer content playing as a back-up to the first-choice pairing of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. He is willing to push for an exit this summer to become a starter elsewhere, leading Chelsea to reconsider their position.

While the west London club are happy for him to remain, they will not stand in his way if a suitable offer arrives. £50 million is understood to be the asking price, just over £10m more than the fee forked out for Ederson.

United have maintained close contact with Santos’ agent, Giuliano Bertolucci, over the past year, holding multiple meetings. This interest has now been accelerated with club-to-club talks underway with Chelsea as INEOS look to seal a deal they wanted to make twelve months ago.

Andy Mitten, a well-connected source at Old Trafford, claims there is belief Santos has a “brilliant football brain”, who has the potential to become Brazil’s next holding midfielder. There is a feeling that he can function as the “long-term replacement” to Casemiro for the Seleção, having captained his country at youth level.

Swap One Brazilian For Another

This prediction that Santos has the potential to develop into such an outstanding No.6 that he can fill Casemiro’s sizeable shoes begs a simple question: why would Manchester United not prioritise him to do the same at the Theatre of Dreams?

In many ways, Santos and Ederson are stylistically similar players, particularly out of possession. They are both excellent in duels and transitions; both possess outstanding engines with high levels of physical output, though Ederson is stronger; and they are Swiss Army knives in midfield, capable of being deployed deeper or in a box-to-box capacity, courtesy of good defensive instincts and tactical intelligence.

However, there is little comparison between them once the ball is at their feet. Santos is far superior technically, offering a more expansive passing game, able to play forward with precision and purpose. He is also adroit in tight spaces, comfortable on the half-turn and evading opposition pressure with quick feet.

By contrast, Ederson struggles when pressured in possession. He plays it safe with distribution, opting for simple passes over incisive ones. This leads him to rank highly for pass-percentage metrics, in much the same way Manuel Ugarte has throughout his career. But it is a red herring; a limitation mistaken for a strength.

In the final third, there is no competition either. Across 305 appearances throughout his career, Ederson has scored 26 goals and provided 10 assists. In 167 games – almost half the amount – Santos has returned 31 goals and 12 assists.

Ederson Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

The Atalanta midfielder has also, naturally, never played in the Premier League. There is an inherent risk when players make the switch from Italy to England, as Joshua Zirkzee’s struggles attest. Santos has already racked up 47 appearances for Chelsea, as well as 45 for Ligue 1 side Strasbourg – a much more physical division than Serie A.

Ederson does offer more experience than his countryman, though this is simply a case of him being five years older. Having agreed a four-year deal with United, he would be 31 before his contract expires. There will be virtually no resale value in his £39 million capture, whereas Santos would be just entering his prime in the same timeframe, offering far more potential to make some money back.

The method in which transfer fees are calculated also means a £39m deal on a four-year contract – which amortises to a cost of £9.75m a year – is comparable to a £50m deal over five years, equating to £10m annually. Either player, in the short term at least, will set the club back similar amounts.

Final Thoughts

Realistically, there is little chance Manchester United will make the decision to pull out of the deal for Ederson. There is understood to be alignment across the coaching staff and recruitment department over the signing, with Michael Carrick having approved him as a target. The club also holds an excellent working relationship with Atalanta, one they would not risk harming.

But football is a business, and business leaves no room for sentiment nor softness. Santos is a better signing than Ederson because he is a better footballer. The correct business decision is to target the better asset, even if it means walking away from the negotiating table at the eleventh hour and angering your counterparts.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has demonstrated a penchant for the ruthless in his long and storied career in petrochemicals. It is time to apply the ‘INEOS’ dogma to the world of football. Andrey Santos should be a Red Devil; Ederson should not.

Featured image by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

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