Manchester United have finalised the transfer of Andrey Santos from Chelsea, with the midfielder having signed his contract, according to Fabrizio Romano. The deal, reported to be worth £50 million, has received the backing of club legend Rio Ferdinand, who highlighted Santos’ potential and Premier League experience.
The signing addresses a key area of need for United, who entered the summer transfer window seeking midfield reinforcement. While a deal for Atalanta’s Ederson was also reportedly agreed upon, the capture of Santos represents a significant addition to Erik ten Hag’s squad. Santos joins United after a period with Chelsea where he did not establish himself as a regular starter.
Ferdinand voiced his support for the transfer on social media platform X, stating that the club has been in need of a player with Santos’ qualities for some time. He criticised perceived negativity surrounding the signing, urging fans to ‘trust the process’. In a discussion with co-host Stephen Howson, Ferdinand defended the £50 million fee, pointing to similar investments made by Manchester City in full-back positions in previous years.
Howson, however, expressed reservations, suggesting that the fee represents ‘starter money’ for a player who was previously a third-choice option at Chelsea. He questioned the optics of pursuing high-profile targets only to ultimately sign a player who wasn’t a first-team regular for their former club. Ferdinand countered by highlighting Santos’ age – 22 – and potential to become a key player for both United and the Brazilian national team.
Combined with the anticipated arrival of Ederson, United’s midfield investment will total £85 million. This figure is comparable to the sums spent by other Premier League clubs, such as Tottenham and Manchester City, on individual midfielders this summer. The club appears to be strategically managing its finances, leaving room for potential improvements in other areas of the squad.
The addition of Santos and Ederson is expected to provide increased competition and depth in United’s midfield, offering Ten Hag greater tactical flexibility. Both players will be aiming to establish themselves as key components of the team as United prepare for the upcoming season.
