By Brian Said Iha
July 9, 2026
Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a deal worth £50 million, with the transfer now entering its final stages ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the agreement on Thursday, July 9, with his trademark “Here We Go” announcement, signaling that all major aspects of the transfer have been completed and that only formalities remain.
Under the agreement, United will pay an initial fee of £48 million, with a further £2 million in performance-related add-ons. Chelsea have also negotiated a 10 percent sell-on clause, allowing them to benefit financially should Santos leave Old Trafford in the future.
The 22-year-old Brazilian has already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract that will keep him at Manchester United until June 2031. Chelsea have also authorized the player to travel for his medical examination before the move is officially completed.
Manchester United accelerated their pursuit of Santos after facing major setbacks in midfield. The club was left short of options following the departure of Casemiro at the end of his contract and a long-term cruciate ligament injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte.
United had also explored moves for other midfield targets, including Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, but both transfers failed to materialize, prompting the club to focus on Santos.
For Chelsea, the sale represents a significant financial gain. The London club signed Santos from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in 2023 for approximately £16 million and will now make a sizeable profit from the transfer.
The move also provides Santos with the opportunity for regular first-team football after finding playing time increasingly limited at Stamford Bridge, particularly following Moisés Caicedo’s long-term role in Chelsea’s midfield.
Once the medical and final paperwork are completed, Santos is expected to become one of Manchester United’s key midfield additions as the club strengthens its squad ahead of the new campaign.
