Manchester United have agreed a £50m deal with Chelsea for Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, with the 22‑year‑old cleared for a medical as Michael Carrick moves to address a deepening midfield crisis. United will pay an initial £48m, with a further £2m in achievable add‑ons, and Chelsea have negotiated a 10% sell‑on clause. The deal progressed quickly after United made their interest known over the weekend, and personal terms have already been finalised.
The signing comes as United’s senior players prepare to return for pre‑season training on Thursday, facing the prospect of opening their campaign against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July with Mason Mount as the only recognised senior midfielder. Casemiro’s contract expired, Manuel Ugarte has been ruled out for an extended period with cruciate knee ligament damage, and Kobbie Mainoo is still at the World Cup with England. United had prioritised central midfield this summer, but saw hopes of signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest fade when it became apparent it would cost in excess of £110m, and Mateus Fernandes chose Tottenham instead after the north London outfit offered a guaranteed £85m.
“Man Utd agree £50m deal for Chelsea's Andrey Santos; Rashford set to return after World Cup.”
Santos, who made 42 appearances for Chelsea last season, will form an all‑Brazilian midfield partnership with Ederson, the 26‑year‑old set to arrive from Atalanta for £35m after Brazil’s elimination from the World Cup. The 22‑year‑old Santos was named in Brazil’s preliminary 55‑man World Cup squad but was cut before the final 26.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford is poised to be reintegrated at United after the World Cup, with the forward expected to start next season as part of Carrick’s squad. The 28‑year‑old, who has two years left on his contract, last played for United in a 2‑1 Europa League win at Viktoria Pilzen in December 2024 because of a breakdown in his relationship with the club. There are no problems between Rashford and Carrick. United’s preference would be to ease their wage bill by offloading his salary of about £17.5m a year, but there is a lack of requisite suitors. After a loan to Barcelona for the 2025‑26 season, during which he scored the goal that sealed La Liga, Rashford stated his preference was to re‑sign for the club, but Barcelona signed Anthony Gordon for £60.7m plus add‑ons from Newcastle. United have no plans to engage with Barcelona regarding another temporary move. If England reach the World Cup final, the earliest Rashford could return is 10 August.
In other transfer news, Fenerbahce have signed Netherlands defender Nathan Ake from Manchester City in a deal that could be worth up to £8.5m. The Turkish club paid around £7m up front, with the fee rising if add‑ons are met. Ake, 31, made three appearances for the Netherlands in the 2026 World Cup before their elimination by Morocco. He won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two League Cups and the Champions League during a six‑year stint at Etihad Stadium. “It’s been a privilege to represent Manchester City over the past six years,” Ake said. “I’ll always cherish the memories, particularly of winning the Treble.”