€40m market value 

©IMAGO

Manchester United have approached Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos about the possibility of moving to Old Trafford this summer, according to reports. United are yet to engage in transfer talks with their Premier League counterparts as they gauge whether Santos would entertain a move up north. But they are expected to make a formal offer for the Brazil international in the coming days to test the Blues’ resolve, per The Guardian.

United, who will confirm the signing of Éderson from Atalanta for €44 million once his participation in the World Cup is over, have been forced to look elsewhere after missing out on top targets Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes. Manager Michael Carrick is keen to rebuild their midfield following Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s injury. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott also of interest to the club’s hierarchy, although the Cherries are looking for a fee of around €70m and recognise that Santos may offer a cheaper option.

While Chelsea have consistently shown their reluctance to sell to a Premier League rival, Santos is not viewed as untouchable in Xabi Alonso’s squad. The 22-year-old was used as a bit-part player in a rotation to help lighten Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez’s workload. Over half of his 27 league appearances came from the bench last term and he played the full 90 minutes just four times.

His current market value is €40m, although Chelsea will be looking to receive a figure nearer €60m. The recent transfers of Anderson to City and Fernandes to Spurs for higher fees will allow them to negotiate from a position of strength, especially considering the fact Santos is under contract until 2031. Newcastle are also monitoring the situation as they seek a replacement for Sandro Tonali, who is poised to join Tottenham.

Santos was the first player to be signed under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake regime in July 2022 when he arrived from Vasco da Gama for €12.5m. He has made 47 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, scoring three goals and registering five assists. He was recalled by the club in August 2025 after impressing during a season-long loan spell at Strasbourg, where he registered 17 goal contributions (12 goals, five assists) in 45 games for the French side.

That loan move boosted his profile across Europe, earning him his first senior Brazil call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. However, he missed out on the World Cup squad after Ancelotti trimmed down the roster size from 55 to 26. His lack of game time under Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior played a major part in his omission and Santos has seemingly opened the door to a summer move to get more game time.