​Manchester United have completed the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea on a five-year contract, marking the club’s first arrival of the summer transfer window. United have not publicly disclosed the transfer fee for the 22-year-old, though reports circulating last week suggested the deal could reach up to £50 million ($67 million) as the two clubs finalised the agreement. Santos departs Chelsea after a two-and-a-half-year spell in which he made 47 appearances across all competitions. United confirmed the move on X after an initial teaser video, stating: “Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Andrey Santos has joined the club, subject to registration. The Brazil international has signed a contract until June 2031, with the option to extend for a further year.”
The midfielder’s arrival signals United’s intent to bolster midfield depth following the exits and injuries that have impacted the department. The club have identified midfield reinforcement as a priority this summer, especially in the wake of Brazil’s Casemiro leaving the club and Manuel Ugarte’s knee ligament injury during Uruguay’s World Cup group-stage defeat to Spain. United are also reportedly in talks with Aston Villa regarding Belgium international Youri Tielemans, according to the Press Association. Such discussions come as the club looks to strengthen central areas ahead of the new campaign.
Santos becomes United’s inaugural signing of the off-season while leaving Chelsea after two-and-a-half seasons, during which he featured 47 times in all competitions. United announced the deal by posting the club’s confirmation on social media after previously sharing a teaser video. In his first comments as a United player, Santos spoke about the sense of pride in joining a club with a storied history and expressed excitement at the prospect of learning under Michael Carrick, praising the former midfielder-turned-coach as an ideal mentor to help him progress and pursue his ambitions.
The 22-year-old Brazil international joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama for £16 million in 2023 and was subsequently loaned back to Vasco for the remainder of that season. He also spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest during the 2023-24 campaign before two separate spells with Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. Santos returned to Chelsea ahead of the 2025-26 season but struggled to secure a regular starting spot, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo establishing themselves as the preferred central-midfield pairing for much of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Tielemans’ prospective transfer to United would add a player with extensive top-level experience. The 26-year-old Belgian captain featured for Belgium as they advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals but missed Friday’s 2-1 defeat to Spain due to a hamstring strain identified after the warm-up. Tielemans joined Aston Villa on a free transfer from Leicester City in 2023 and has become a key contributor under Unai Emery. Across more than 130 appearances for Villa in all competitions, he contributed 35 appearances in the previous season, tallying two goals and seven assists to help Villa secure a place in the UEFA Champions League and capture the Europa League crown as part of their recent success.
Santos’s signing underlines United’s commitment to building a cohesive midfield unit capable of developing under Carrick’s guidance while integrating into Erik ten Hag’s broader tactical plans. The deal, subject to registration, ensures United have a fresh option capable of contributing both creatively and defensively in the middle of the park as they prepare for a demanding league and European schedule. The club’s strategy appears focused on adding depth, versatility and youth alongside established players as they look to maintain momentum built in recent seasons.