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Man Utd have signed Andre Santos from Chelsea for £50m.
The deal is split into a guaranteed £48m payment and £2m add-ons. Chelsea will also retain a 10 percent sell-on clause.
The 22-year-old Brazil international faces a fight for regular playing time in 2026/27, as Chelsea will not participate in European competition.
Andre Santos’ stats for Chelsea last season vs other midfielders in the Premier League
His long-term pursuit to become a first-team starter at the club was further hampered by Moises Caicedo extending his contract until 2033 earlier this year.
However, he has now signed his first permanent deal under Michael Carrick as head coach at Old Trafford. The announcement came on the same day Sky Sports News United are said to be progressing in talks to sign him Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £36m.
United are also not ruling out signing Ederson Despite a contract breakdown over a medical issue this summer. They may return for him before the end of the window, depending on market developments. but Sky Sports News Can confirm Santos was not signed as a replacement for Ederson.
Andre Santos’ minutes played by position and heat map last season
Speaking to United after completing the move, Santos said: “Everything about Manchester United is special; it’s an incredible feeling to join a club that has represented some of my biggest idols.
“As a midfielder, I am really excited to have the opportunity to learn from Michael Carrick; he is the perfect coach to help me take the next step in my career and achieve my dreams.
“Everyone has told me how ambitious the club is and the amazing atmosphere that has been created here. I know how strong the squad is and I can’t wait to fight together to fight for the biggest trophy.”
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What Man Utd can look forward to – here are some of Andre Santos’ best moments from Chelsea’s day
United’s director of football Jason Wilcox added: “Andre is an outstanding midfielder with tremendous technical qualities and the ability to influence play at both ends of the pitch.
“He’s been a key target for us in a key position, so we’re delighted to have him join Michael’s squad ahead of pre-season.”
Santos joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in 2023 and spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest and Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg.
United believe the player has a great personality which is going to fit in well with the rest of the squad.
Santos aspires to become one of the best players in the world. Although he did not make Brazil’s final squad for the World Cup, the Brazilian Federation (CBF) believes he is one of their most exciting prospects.
United head of recruitment Christopher Wivell knows the player well and helped sign him for Chelsea during his time at the club. Santos is primarily a more defensive, combative midfielder, but he can also play in more advanced roles as well as deeper. United are looking for midfielders who can play through the line and believe Santos has shown the ability to do so.
Last season at Chelsea, the Blues had their best run of eight wins with Santos in midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo.
Santos made 43 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions last season, scoring three goals and providing four assists.
What is Man U’s plan in midfield?
Dharmesh Seth of Sky Sports News:
“We can even see Manchester United trying to sign three midfielders in this transfer window. So it has been a priority since the first minute of this transfer window.
“Before the transfer window opened, because we knew that Casemiro was leaving Manchester United, there was the added complication that Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury during the World Cup against Uruguay.
“I think Manchester United might be prepared to listen to an offer for someone like Ugarte to free up a squad space, some salary space and some transfer fee money to come to the club to be able to fund other moves in midfield.
“But it’s clear Ugarte isn’t going anywhere at the moment, and it’s clear he’s not going to play for Manchester United, with a serious knee injury. So United are in the market for two, maybe three midfielders; Youri Tielemans looks like he could be one of them.
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Dharmesh Seth has the latest on Manchester United’s pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans, with talks progressing with the club after triggering his release clause.
“There are other midfielders to keep an eye on for United. Aurelien Choumeni has been a big target for them throughout this window, but it seems Jose Mourinho wants to keep him at Real Madrid, and he is expected to sign a new contract.
“Other names in the frame, going up the list, are Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott. There is a big interest from Manchester United.
“Whether Bournemouth will want to trade on one of their prized assets in this transfer window – that’s another question. Sander Berg is another Fulham player in whom United have a historic interest, and possibly another player on that list, Ayoub Bouaddi.
“We all saw how he performed for Morocco during the World Cup. His name was mentioned, and Felix Mecher of Borussia Dortmund.
“Again, a long-term admiration has been held for Manchester United. Maybe one of them, or maybe, as we saw with Youri Tielemans, there will be another name that will come out of nowhere and Manchester United will try and follow.”
