Manchester United are on the verge of completing their first major signing of the summer transfer window.
According to The Athletic, Manchester United have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign highly rated midfielder Andrey Santos.
United will pay a fee worth £50 million (including £2m in easily achievable bonuses) with Chelsea set to retain a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
The personal terms have already been finalised, with Chelsea now granting Santos permission to travel and complete the formalities of his move to Old Trafford.
United accelerated their pursuit of Santos after suffering a frustrating setback in their attempts to sign Mateus Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder recently completed a sensational £85m transfer from West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Red Devils also explored moves for Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali before deciding their enormous price tags represented poor value in the current market.
United head coach Michael Carrick has Kobbie Mainoo as the only recognised senior central midfielder after a devastating injury to Manuel Ugarte in the FIFA World Cup.
The Red Devils need to sign three quality midfielders this summer to truly complete an overhaul.
Ederson is expected to become the second arrival after United reached an agreement with Atalanta last month, although the official announcement was delayed following his call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad.
He will bring vast experience of playing in Serie A and the UEFA Champions League in a bargain deal of £39m.
Santos will be a valuable addition. The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough 2025-26 season at Chelsea.
He bagged three goals and five assists in 47 games across all competitions.
He predominantly played as a defensive midfielder but can also operate as a number eight.
Santos represented Brazil at the youth level before making his senior debut in 2023.
The midfielder has already earned six senior caps for the Selecao, although he narrowly missed out on a place in the World Cup squad.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com