Santos broke into the Chelsea first team in 2025-26 Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesJuly 5, 2026 9:55 am EDT Updated Manchester United are exploring a move for Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos.Any potential deal is at an early stage and the clubs are not yet in talks, with enquiries from multiple suitors so far going via the 22-year-old’s agents.Santos is keen to establish a regular starting place and that is currently unlikely to happen for Chelsea, especially after Moises Caicedo committed his future to Stamford Bridge in April by agreeing a new contract through to 2033.Chelsea value the Brazil international highly; he is capable of playing as both a No. 6 and 8, showing his quality during an 18-month loan spell at Strasbourg and after breaking into the west London side’s first team last season.
Santos has been on United’s radar for some time but whether a transfer develops will largely depend on the asking price.Chelsea would not block a move if it suited all parties. The Athletic reported on June 30 Santos was one of the players they would consider selling this summer.He joined Chelsea from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in January 2023 and made 43 appearances across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign, providing three goals and four assists.The Athletic reported in June United’s priority during the summer window has been to strengthen in midfield. Casemiro departed the club at the end of the 2025-26 campaign following the conclusion of his contract, and Manuel Ugarte subsequently suffered knee ligament damage during Uruguay’s World Cup group stage defeat to Spain and is set for an extended period out.United had been interested in England international Elliot Anderson, who instead joined Manchester City for a fee of £116million ($153m), and also pushed for a move for Mateus Fernandes, before Tottenham Hotspur met West Ham United’s £85million (€98m, $112m) valuation.United have also agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign midfielder Ederson, subject to a medical, for an initial €40.5million ($47m; £35m) fixed fee plus €4.5m ($5m; £4m).
