Santos signs for £50m as United chase Tielemans and Ederson deal stalls

Manchester United have signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50million, with the 22-year-old becoming the club’s first midfield addition of the summer as manager Michael Carrick looks to address a shortage in central midfield following Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s injury.

Santos, who made 43 appearances for Chelsea last season, pointed to Carrick as a decisive factor in his move to Old Trafford. “As a midfielder, I am really excited to have the opportunity to learn from Michael Carrick — he is the perfect coach to help me take the next step in my career and push to achieve my dreams,” Santos said on the club’s official website. “Everybody told me about how ambitious the club is and the amazing environment that has been created here.”

United’s midfield rebuild has taken a further twist with the club now in advanced talks to sign Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans. The Belgian international is under contract at Villa Park until 2028, but United are pushing for a move at a reported fee in the region of the £35m they had previously agreed with Atalanta for Ederson.

That Ederson deal, struck earlier this summer at £35million plus £3.8m in add-ons, has since stalled on two fronts. The Atalanta midfielder received a late call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad, which initially delayed proceedings, before concerns emerged over a knee problem he sustained last term. United remain willing to sign Ederson but would need to renegotiate the fee with Atalanta before any agreement could be revived.

The pursuit of Tielemans has complicated that picture further, with United now appearing to weigh up two distinct midfield profiles at a similar price point. Whether both deals could be completed, or whether one will come at the expense of the other, remains to be seen as the transfer window continues.