MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Manchester United remain active in the transfer market even after finalising the signing of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea, with the club still seeking further midfield reinforcements ahead of the new season, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
United are expected to pay approximately £48 million for Santos, who is leaving Chelsea after struggling to secure a regular starting position. The 22-year-old Brazilian is considered a promising talent with great potential and could play a crucial role at Old Trafford.
The move comes after United decided to back out of a previous agreement to sign Ederson from Atalanta. After requesting a second medical check following the World Cup, the club chose not to proceed with the transfer, despite Atalanta maintaining that the player was fully fit.
Manager Michael Carrick is focused on improving his midfield options, with a key objective being to replace Casemiro’s impact while enhancing overall squad depth. Santos is expected to bring versatility to various midfield roles.
Romano has confirmed that Santos has completed all necessary paperwork and the contract is finalized, although Manchester United has not yet made an official announcement. The transfer expert also revealed that United are still looking for additional midfielders, believing further enhancements are crucial for maintaining competitiveness at the highest level.
While Santos is capable of playing in deeper midfield roles, United are expected to seek a more experienced player who specialises in the holding position. Carrick is reportedly looking for someone who can effectively manage games and provide defensive support in front of the backline.
Elite teams have defensive midfielders like Rodri at Manchester City, Declan Rice at Arsenal, and Joshua Kimmich at Bayern Munich. United understand the necessity of strengthening this position if they aim to compete for major trophies once again.
As the transfer window progresses, United’s pursuit of midfield reinforcements signals their intent to build a squad capable of challenging for silverware in the upcoming season. The club’s recruitment team, led by Carrick and the technical staff, are expected to continue their search for the right profile to complement Santos and the existing squad.
