Man United target three more signings after £85m Santos and Darlow deals confirmed

Manchester United have confirmed two summer signings and are already plotting at least three more additions before the transfer window shuts, with Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans emerging as the next priority target.

Andrey Santos became United’s first official signing of the summer on Monday, with the club agreeing a £50 million deal with Chelsea to bring the Brazilian midfielder to Old Trafford. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow has also joined on a free transfer, weeks after his contract at Leeds United expired, taking United’s confirmed summer spend to £50 million.

Tielemans is understood to have a £35 million release clause in his Villa Park contract, and United are believed to be moving to trigger it. The Belgian international’s potential arrival comes as a direct consequence of United pulling out of a previously agreed deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson — a £35 million move that collapsed before completion. Atalanta director Cristiano Giuntoli confirmed the breakdown, saying: “We were stunned by Man United calling the Ederson deal off. Now we are working on a new contract for him.”

Once a Tielemans deal is finalised, United are expected to pursue a left winger and a forward, which would bring their total number of new arrivals to six ahead of their return to Champions League football. However, reports suggest the club could briefly pause further incomings after securing Tielemans while they assess their options and push through a number of departures.

Manager Michael Carrick begins pre-season preparations this week, with United travelling to Finland to face Wrexham on Saturday before heading to Norway to play Rosenborg. Friendly fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in Sweden follow, before a final pre-season match against Leeds in Dublin.

United open their Premier League campaign against newly promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, 22 August.