Manchester United target Andrey Santos but Chelsea value midfielder at £50m
Manchester United have identified Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos as a target as manager Michael Carrick seeks to strengthen his squad following their return to the Champions League. The 22-year-old Brazilian is valued at around £50m by the Blues.
Santos has emerged as an option for United after the club missed out on other midfield targets. Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes both completed moves elsewhere, with Anderson joining and Fernandes signing for Tottenham Hotspur respectively. Bournemouth's Alex Scott has also attracted interest from the club's hierarchy.
United have already agreed a deal for Atalanta's Ederson, though the move has been delayed due to the player's late call-up to the Brazil squad. The deal is reported to be worth £35m. Additional midfield investment remains a priority following Casemiro's departure and Manuel Ugarte's knee ligament damage sustained during Uruguay's defeat by Spain.
The Brazilian midfielder has been unable to command regular first-team football at Stamford Bridge, sitting behind Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the pecking order. However, Santos is reportedly open to leaving to gain more consistent minutes. His path to the Chelsea starting eleven remains blocked, particularly following Caicedo's recent contract extension.
Newcastle United are also monitoring Santos as they seek a replacement for Sandro Tonali, who will join Tottenham.
Santos moved to Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in 2023 for £18m and has since spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg. Last season he made 27 Premier League appearances, contributing one goal. The midfielder has earned six international caps for Brazil but is not part of Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup squad.
Chelsea remain open to Santos's departure, with the club seeking funds to support new head coach Xabi Alonso's ambitions. The Blues have simultaneously pursued Sunderland's Granit Xhaka, who previously worked with Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, though the Black Cats have rebuffed their advances.