Manchester United have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Andrey Santos.

United will pay a fee worth £48million plus £2m in easily achievable bonuses, with Chelsea set to retain a 10 per cent sell-on clause for the midfielder.

The 22-year-old, who is capable of playing as a No. 6 or No. 8, has agreed personal terms with United and has been given permission by Chelsea to travel and complete the transfer.

Santos, under contract at Stamford Bridge through to 2030, had been subject of enquiries from multiple suitors and The Athletic reported on Sunday that United had been exploring a move for him.

Chelsea value the Brazil international highly, but he wants to establish a regular starting spot, which is less likely to happen at Stamford Bridge after Moises Caicedo agreed a new contract through to 2033 in April.

Santos joined Chelsea from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in January 2023 and made 43 appearances across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign, recording three goals and four assists.

He has been capped six times by Brazil, but was not part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.

He spent the first half of the 2023-24 season on loan at Nottingham Forest, making two appearances, and spent the subsequent 18 months on loan at Strasbourg, where he recorded 12 goals and five assists in 45 appearances.

Strengthening in midfield has been a priority for United this summer, as reported by The Athletic in June. Casemiro departed the club at the end of the 2025-26 campaign following the conclusion of his contract, and Manuel Ugarte subsequently suffered knee ligament damage during Uruguay’s World Cup group stage defeat to Spain and is set for an extended period out.

United were interested in signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, but the England international instead joined Manchester City in a £116million ($153m) deal. They also pushed for a move for Mateus Fernandes, before Tottenham Hotspur met West Ham United’s £85million (€98m, $112m) valuation.

United have agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign midfielder Ederson, subject to a medical, for an initial €40.5million ($47m; £35m) fixed fee plus €4.5m ($5m; £4m).

A long-term United target, but midfield rebuild needs more

Analysis by The Athletic’s Manchester United correspondent Mark Critchley

After missing out Fernandes, following their reluctance to pay a fixed £85m fee, it is understandable that United would look to another young, talented midfielder with Premier League experience as an alternative.

Santos fits the bill, in that respect, and bears some similarities to Fernandes in playing style. Both are adept progressive passers, able to move the ball from one end of the pitch through midfield, and more than capable of consistently winning their duels out of possession.

With Chelsea open to letting the Brazil international leave, any deal would be unlikely to require the level of financial commitment that West Ham were demanding for Fernandes.

At 22, he has room to develop, and interest from Old Trafford is nothing new. United’s recruitment department ran the rule over Santos last summer.

United would still lack experience in the middle of the park and, in that sense, would not have fully replaced Casemiro, who was a hugely influential presence on the way to last season’s third-place Premier League finish.

Santos would not represent the marquee signing that many United supporters have demanded as part of this rebuild either.

But United have long planned to sign three midfielders this summer, including Ederson, whose €44.5m move from Atalanta is subject to a medical. Adding him and a player of Santos’ profile and potential will still leave room for another reinforcement.

Does a sale make sense for Chelsea?

Analysis by The Athletic’s Chelsea correspondent Simon Johnson

Chelsea have rejected approaches for the midfielder before but it is telling that he is no longer on the ‘not for sale’ list this window.

The Brazil international made 43 appearances last season after proving to be one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 at Strasbourg.

However, only 25 matches were from the start for Chelsea in 2025-26, including just 13 in the Premier League, and his contract does not expire until 2030 so Chelsea can demand a large sum to make a sizable profit.

That can obviously be reinvested into other signings and they have shown with their pursuit of Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka that midfielder is an area they are prepared to recruit in.

Despite being rated within the club, there is a big question mark over whether Santos will be more of a first team regular in the campaign to come. Caicedo is one of the key players employed in front of the backline, while Real Madrid have announced they are not going to make an attempt to acquire Enzo Fernandez.

The Athletic has also reported that Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo are currently expected to stay, but selling Andrey Santos to a domestic rival may raise eyebrows among sections of the fanbase though.