Manchester United sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea: ‘Since I was young, I dreamed of this moment’
Manchester United have completed the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
United reached an agreement to sign the 22-year-old in a deal worth £48million plus £2m in easily achievable bonuses, with Chelsea retaining a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
Earlier on Monday, The Athletic also reported United are set to finalise a deal to sign Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa due to the midfielder’s £35million release clause.
“To be honest, since I was young, I dreamed of this moment,” Santos said upon his arrival.
Dreams do come true.@04Andrey is proof of that 🔏 pic.twitter.com/2ZiSP7y9ai
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 13, 2026
“The history and the responsibility that comes with that, that’s why I am here. I cannot wait to play in front of these fans, alongside this team and help create new memories.
“I am here to bring energy, to compete, to win the ball, drive the team forward, and give everything for this club. Now, I am going to make my name in the history of this big big club.”
Santos is capable of playing at a No. 6 or No. 8, and had been subject of enquiries from multiple suitors. The Athletic reported on July 5 that United were exploring a move for the midfielder.
The Brazil international started 13 of Chelsea’s 38 Premier League matches last season, and wants to establish a regular starting spot.
Santos has made 43 appearances for Chelsea after breaking into the side last season, having joined the club from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in January 2023. He had a short loan spell with Nottingham Forest before spending 18 months on loan at Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
United have prioritised strengthening in midfield this summer after the departure of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte suffering knee ligament damage while playing for Uruguay at the World Cup.
United were interested in signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, but the England international instead joined Manchester City in a £116million ($153m) deal. They also pushed for a move for Mateus Fernandes, before Tottenham Hotspur met West Ham United’s £85million (€98m, $112m) valuation.
A long-term United target, but midfield rebuild needs more
Analysis by The Athletic’s Manchester United correspondent Mark Critchley
After missing out Fernandes, following their reluctance to pay a fixed £85m fee, it is understandable that United would look to another young, talented midfielder with Premier League experience as an alternative.
Santos fits the bill, in that respect, and bears some similarities to Fernandes in playing style. Both are adept progressive passers, able to move the ball from one end of the pitch through midfield, and more than capable of consistently winning their duels out of possession.
With Chelsea open to letting the Brazil international leave, any deal would be unlikely to require the level of financial commitment that West Ham were demanding for Fernandes.
At 22, he has room to develop, and interest from Old Trafford is nothing new. United’s recruitment department ran the rule over Santos last summer.
United would still lack experience in the middle of the park and, in that sense, would not have fully replaced Casemiro, who was a hugely influential presence on the way to last season’s third-place Premier League finish.
Santos would not represent the marquee signing that many United supporters have demanded as part of this rebuild either.
But United have long planned to sign three midfielders this summer, including Ederson, whose €44.5m move from Atalanta is subject to a medical. Adding him and a player of Santos’ profile and potential will still leave room for another reinforcement.
Does sale make sense for Chelsea?
Analysis by The Athletic’s Chelsea correspondent Simon Johnson
Chelsea have rejected approaches for the midfielder before but it is telling that he is no longer on the ‘not for sale’ list this window.
The Brazil international made 43 appearances last season after proving to be one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 at Strasbourg.
However, only 25 matches were from the start for Chelsea in 2025-26, including just 13 in the Premier League, and his contract does not expire until 2030 so Chelsea can demand a large sum to make a sizable profit.
That can obviously be reinvested into other signings and they have shown with their pursuit of Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka that midfielder is an area they are prepared to recruit in.
Despite being rated within the club, there is a big question mark over whether Santos will be more of a first team regular in the campaign to come. Caicedo is one of the key players employed in front of the backline, while Real Madrid have announced they are not going to make an attempt to acquire Enzo Fernandez.
The Athletic has also reported that Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo are currently expected to stay, but selling Andrey Santos to a domestic rival may raise eyebrows among sections of the fanbase though.