Manchester United have asked Chelsea about Andrey Santos amidst Alejandro Garnacho discussions
Manchester United’s new season started just like the one that ended last year, with disappointment and discontent. The opening game against Arsenal had a good rhythm, but a small mistake ruined everything. Altay Bayindir misjudged a corner and Riccardo Calafiori scored with a header. The team then tried to come back, but Benjamin Sesko’s impact was lacklustre, and Bryan Mbeumo had a chance to equalise, but David Raya thwarted it.
The team are out of Europe this season, after finishing 15th in the league last season and then losing early this season has added to the pressure. Although the club have revamped the squad by bringing in attackers like Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Sesko, several players are yet to be sold this summer. The most famous name among them is Alejandro Garnacho, who has fallen out with manager Ruben Amorim.
Andrey Santos’ discussion and United’s current needs
Meanwhile, Ben Jacobs, via GMS, told The United Stand that when United and Chelsea were in talks for Garnacho, Andrey Santos’ name also came up. According to reports, United asked if Chelsea could sell the Brazilian midfielder, but the answer was clear—Chelsea wanted to keep him. Amorim has long been looking for a new midfielder as Casemiro is no longer as effective as before. United also took a look at Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, but his team rejected the possibility of a deal this year. So the club are now looking at other options.
Manchester United have asked Chelsea about Andrey Santos amidst Alejandro Garnacho discussions .
Andrey Santos (Image via X)
Santos’ speciality is that he proved to be very effective in the 2024/25 season while on loan at Strasbourg. He moves the ball forward quickly, passes well even under pressure and shows the ability to cover the defence. The 21-year-old is young, and this is also his strength as he can learn and adapt.
However, his lack of experience and occasional positional mistakes are his biggest weaknesses. Amorim’s system needs a reliable midfielder, and Santos could fit that role, but the problem is that Chelsea don’t want to let him go right now. So United can either wait until next year or find a solution within the current squad.
“What I can tell you is that when discussions have been ongoing for Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea, Andrey Santos has been spoken about.
“I don’t think it’s going to lead anywhere, because Chelsea don’t want to sell. That’s another player, though, that Manchester United appreciate. It’s nothing more than that at this stage.”
Now, let’s talk about the Argentine whom we want to sell. In our opinion, if the player has broken up with the manager, there is no point in keeping him. Garnacho’s talent is unquestionable, but if he is not compatible with Amorim, the club are better off strengthening an important position instead.
Secondly, using Garnacho to bring in Santos could be a sensible move, but Chelsea’s stubbornness are making it difficult. Amorim needs strength in that position and hence the club were aboslutely right to try out if Chelsea were looking to ship out the Brazilian during the Garnacho deal.
Third and most importantly, a midfield signing for Amorim is not worth waiting for. If United play with a lack of defensive midfield this season, the same results will be repeated. It is better to take the risk now and bring in the necessary players; otherwise, it will be too late by next year, but if Chelsea are not willining to sell Santos, it is better off getting the money quickly from the sale of Garnacho, and trying for some other defensive midfield options as we approach the fag end of the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, in other news, Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund is eyeing a move to Serie A despite interest from Fulham