Manchester United has finalized the acquisition of 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a transaction valued at £50 million. The agreement includes an upfront payment of £48 million, with an additional £2 million tied to performance metrics, and a 10 percent sell-on clause held by Chelsea. Santos has signed a contract lasting until June 2031, featuring an option for an extra year.
This addition is a major component of manager Michael Carrick’s efforts to restructure the squad’s midfield, filling the void left by Casemiro and the absence of the injured Manuel Ugarte. Santos expressed that joining United is a dream realized, noting his eagerness to refine his skills under the guidance of Carrick, whom he considers the ideal mentor.
Director of Football Jason Wilcox highlighted Santos as a primary transfer target, praising his technical proficiency and capacity to influence matches at both ends of the field. After beginning his career at Vasco da Gama and gaining experience through loans at Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg, Santos emerged as a key figure at Chelsea, recording 43 appearances during a season that included a FIFA Club World Cup victory.
While he has represented Brazil at the senior level, he was excluded from the 2026 World Cup squad. He has now integrated into United’s pre-season training and is eligible to play in the upcoming match against Wrexham, serving as a critical piece in the club’s ongoing summer recruitment strategy.
