Manchester United announced the £50m arrival of Andrey Santos from Chelsea on Tuesday, as Michael Carrick's side also made a move for Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans amid uncertainty over Ederson. The transfer flurry came as Premier League clubs began returning to pre-season training and friendly matches, even while the World Cup continues.
The Premier League officially returns on 21 August, but some clubs are already in pre-season action before the World Cup final, with games spread across the globe from Hong Kong and New York to York and Bristol. Arsenal, for instance, face Girona on 1 August, Real Betis in Dublin on 5 August, and Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates on 9 August, before the Community Shield against Manchester City at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on 16 August.
“Manchester United announce £50m Andrey Santos signing from Chelsea as Premier League clubs begin pre-season friendlies.”
Aston Villa, meanwhile, swooped to agree a deal for World Cup breakout star Johan Manzambi, hijacking Newcastle who had already agreed terms with the Freiburg forward. The Magpies have yet to give up on retaining Bruno Guimaraes, with Arsenal still targeting the Brazilian. Villa's pre-season includes a friendly against Bayern Munich in Hong Kong on 7 August.
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso held his first press conference and admitted Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez still have a future at Stamford Bridge, but Alejandro Garnacho appears to have no future at the club. The Blues face Tottenham in Sydney on 1 August, Juventus in Hong Kong on 5 August, and AC Milan in Jakarta on 8 August.
Manchester United are also set for a £10m windfall from Mason Greenwood's transfer to Fenerbahce, which has now been fully agreed. United inserted a sell-on clause into his move to Marseille two seasons ago and are now reaping the rewards of his impressive spell in Ligue 1. Greenwood has signed a four-year contract in Turkey.