Chelsea set £50m asking price for Santos as Manchester United weigh midfield move

Chelsea have indicated they are willing to sell Andrey Santos this summer for the right price, with Manchester United identified as one of several Premier League clubs tracking the 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder.

Although Santos still has four years remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are not actively pushing him out but will consider offers — and it is reported that a fee of £50m would be required to secure his signature. Newcastle United are also said to be monitoring the situation, particularly after selling Sandro Tonali this summer amid ongoing speculation over Bruno Guimaraes’ future.

Santos made 43 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea in the 2025/26 season, with 25 of those coming from the start. With Chelsea absent from European football next season and the club targeting a central midfielder of their own in the transfer window, Santos’ playing time could diminish further, potentially accelerating a departure.

Chelsea originally paid £18m for Santos in 2023 when he joined from Vasco da Gama. He spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg before establishing himself in the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea hold a broadly similar stance on Enzo Fernandez, with reports suggesting a £120m asking price would need to be met before they would sanction his exit. That scenario has become less likely after Real Madrid released an official statement confirming they have “no intention” of pursuing a move for the Argentine this summer, with those close to the club said to be unconcerned by the development.

The Fernandez situation had a knock-on effect on United’s own planning. Had Real Madrid moved for the Argentine, United might have been encouraged to pursue Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni more aggressively. Former United defender Rio Ferdinand made his feelings on that target clear.

“If Tchouameni has half a sniff of getting out of that club, Man United have to be the first team at the door knocking and make sure he can’t even talk to anybody else,” Ferdinand said. “Get him signed, sealed and delivered.”

United’s midfield reinforcement remains a priority heading into the summer window, with Santos and Tchouameni representing two very different profiles and price points under consideration.