Manchester United have signed Brazilian international midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a deal worth £48 million plus £2 million in add-ons. The move was reported this week by Khel Now as part of the club's summer 2026 transfer window activity, which has also seen three senior players depart.
Manchester United, who finished third in the Premier League last season, are looking to strengthen their squad for a Champions League campaign. Head coach Michael Carrick, under contract until 2028, is overseeing the rebuild. The club's current league standing shows they are 10th with 3 points from two games, having scored 5 goals and conceded 4. They sit 3 points behind leaders Manchester City.
The club has seen three significant departures. Brazilian defensive midfielder Casemiro has left as a free agent. Winger Jadon Sancho and defender Tyrell Malacia have also moved on. These exits are considered beneficial for the club's financial health, freeing up resources on the wage bill. The squad's current status can be viewed on our squad page.
Andrey Santos, 22, arrives from Chelsea to bolster Manchester United's engine room. The Brazilian is a dynamic presence who can operate in both defensive and box-to-box roles. His signing comes after initial talks for Atalanta BC's Ederson reportedly fell through, making Santos the primary midfield acquisition. He adds international experience and energy to a unit that will be vital for competing on multiple fronts.
The signing is a clear statement of intent for the season ahead. Manchester United will compete in the UEFA Champions League and aim to close the gap on Manchester City in the domestic title race. The early season form, with a win and a loss, shows there is work to be done. The club's next challenge is an away match against Everton, who are 6th in the table, on September 6. Fans can track the team's progress on our standings and fixtures pages.
The immediate focus for Michael Carrick is integrating his new midfielder ahead of the trip to Goodison Park. The club confirmed the deal with a simple statement: "(Courtesy : Manchester United)." United began their Premier League season with a match against Hull City and now look to build momentum.
