Manchester United has reportedly agreed to sign Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos for £48 million plus add-ons and a sell-on clause. The transfer, if completed, would represent one of the more significant Premier League midfield moves this summer.
What we know about the deal
The reported fee of £48 million comes with performance-based add-ons and a sell-on clause that would give Chelsea a cut of any future transfer. Chelsea reportedly values Santos at approximately £50 million, so the base fee would land just below that threshold. The deal remains unconfirmed as of July 8, 2026, with reputable football reporting emphasizing that discussions are still in preliminary stages and no direct club-to-club negotiations have commenced.
Santos, now 22, has struggled to break into Chelsea’s first team, stuck behind established midfielders like Moisés Caicedo. The Brazilian midfielder is reportedly seeking more regular playing time. Manchester United’s interest appears to be part of a broader midfield rebuild under manager Michael Carrick, particularly after the club missed out on other targets including Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes.
Complicating matters is Newcastle United, who have also expressed interest in Santos. Competition between the two clubs could explain the gap between Chelsea’s £50 million valuation and the reported £48 million agreement.
