Manchester United have added Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos to their summer shortlist as Michael Carrick looks for another midfield signing.
The Guardian reports that United are pursuing Santos after missing out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes. Chelsea value the Brazil international at around £50m, while Newcastle United are also monitoring his situation.
Santos joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in 2023 and has also spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg. The 22-year-old made 27 Premier League appearances last season, but Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez still block his route to a guaranteed starting role at Stamford Bridge.
The Guardian adds that Santos would be open to leaving Chelsea for more regular minutes.
United have already agreed a £35m deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, although his late Brazil World Cup call-up has delayed that move. Carrick also has less depth after Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s knee ligament injury.
Carrick Needs Another Midfield Answer
United’s midfield search has moved quickly in recent weeks.
ReadManUtd has already covered how Aurelien Tchouameni and Alex Scott sit high on the club’s shortlist, with both deals carrying obvious cost and difficulty.
Santos now belongs in the same conversation. He offers age, Premier League experience and the kind of midfield profile United need, but Chelsea’s valuation leaves little room for a casual approach.
Carrick needs more legs, security and technical quality in the centre of the pitch. Ederson should help if United complete that deal, but one signing will not fix the whole department.
Santos would give United another midfielder who can play with energy, carry the ball and develop into a more complete Premier League option. The question for the club is whether they see him as a starter-level signing or an expensive squad addition.
Chelsea Price Leaves United With A Decision
Chelsea’s position gives the deal a complicated edge.
Santos wants more minutes, and Chelsea may need to create room in the squad. United can test that situation, but a £50m valuation still demands discipline.
Newcastle’s interest also adds pressure. The Guardian reports that Eddie Howe’s side are monitoring Santos as they prepare for life after Sandro Tonali’s move to Tottenham.
United cannot afford to spend heavily on another midfielder unless Carrick sees a clear role. The club have already missed out on expensive targets, and the midfield market has moved quickly around them.
Santos makes sense on profile. He is young, already has Premier League minutes and may have a realistic reason to leave Chelsea.
The next step depends on price.
If Chelsea hold firm at £50m, United need to decide whether Santos ranks high enough to justify that level of spend. If the fee softens, Carrick may see a route to a midfielder with the right age and upside for his rebuild.
