Manchester United have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Andrey Santos.United will pay a fee worth £48million plus £2m in easily achievable bonuses, with Chelsea set to retain a 10 per cent sell-on clause for the midfielder.The 22-year-old, who is capable of playing as a No. 6 or No. 8, has agreed personal terms with United and has been given permission by Chelsea to travel and complete the transfer.Santos, under contract at Stamford Bridge through to 2030, had been subject of enquiries from multiple suitors and The Athletic reported on Sunday that United had been exploring a move for him.Chelsea value the Brazil international highly, but he wants to establish a regular starting spot, which is less likely to happen at Stamford Bridge after Moises Caicedo agreed a new contract through to 2033 in April.Santos joined Chelsea from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in January 2023 and made 43 appearances across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign, recording three goals and four assists.He spent the first half of the 2023-24 season on loan at Nottingham Forest, making two appearances, and spent the subsequent 18 months on loan at Strasbourg, where he recorded 12 goals and five assists in 45 appearances.Strengthening in midfield has been a priority for United this summer, as reported by The Athletic in June. 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 were interested in signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, but the England international instead joined Manchester City in a £116million ($153m) deal. They also pushed for a move for Mateus Fernandes, before Tottenham Hotspur met West Ham United’s £85million (€98m, $112m) valuation.