Manchester United are on the verge of signing two Brazilian midfielders in a single week, as the club attempts to rebuild its squad after a series of departures and injuries. A £50m deal for Chelsea's Andrey Santos has been agreed, while Atalanta's Ederson is also expected to complete a £35m move. The activity comes after United missed out on several other targets and as they prepare for the start of pre-season training.
United prioritised central midfield this summer following the end of Casemiro's contract. The veteran Brazilian's departure left a gap that was compounded by a cruciate ligament injury to Manuel Ugarte. With Kobbie Mainoo still at the World Cup with England, manager Michael Carrick faced the prospect of starting pre-season with only Mason Mount as a recognised senior midfielder.
“Explains Man Utd's big-money moves for Santos and Ederson, and how transfer fees, add-ons, and sell-on clauses work.”
The club's first attempt to reinforce the midfield fell through when Nottingham Forest demanded more than £110m for Elliot Anderson. A move for West Ham's Mateus Fernandes also failed when Tottenham offered a guaranteed £85m. That led United to turn to Santos, a 22-year-old who already has 28 Premier League appearances (including a loan spell at Nottingham Forest) and is seen as a player with significant development potential.
Santos will cost an initial £48m, with £2m in achievable add-ons. Chelsea negotiated a 10% sell-on clause, meaning they will receive 10% of any future transfer fee above the £50m total. The Brazilian is set for a medical at United, as is fellow countryman Ederson, whose £35m deal includes £3.8m in potential add-ons. Both moves were accelerated after Brazil's elimination from the World Cup.
United's spending this summer is partly funded by player sales. Marcus Rashford has been linked with a departure, and the proceeds are expected to be used to target further signings. The club has identified West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville as their number one forward target, with initial talks already held. Summerville's club were relegated from the Premier League last season, and their asking price is thought to be around £50m.
For UK football fans, these deals illustrate the complex mechanics of the modern transfer market—how clubs use add-ons, sell-on clauses, and player sales to structure deals. They also show how quickly the landscape can change: United moved from missing out on primary targets to securing two midfielders within days.
One key element in the Santos deal is the sell-on clause. A sell-on clause entitles the selling club (Chelsea) to a percentage of any future transfer fee received by the buying club (United). For example, if United later sell Santos for £80m, Chelsea would receive £8m (10% of the increase above the initial cost). This protects the seller if the player's value rises.
Another important feature is the use of add-ons—payments linked to performance, appearances, or team success. In Santos's case, the add-ons are described as "achievable," meaning they are likely to be triggered. For Tyrique George's move to Everton, add-ons are based on European qualification and appearances.
Q: Why are Manchester United spending so much on midfielders this summer? The club had a major gap in central midfield after Casemiro's contract ended and Manuel Ugarte suffered a long-term injury. With only one senior midfielder available for pre-season, United needed multiple reinforcements quickly.
Q: What is a sell-on clause and why does it matter? A sell-on clause gives the selling club a percentage of any future transfer fee. Chelsea included a 10% clause in the Santos deal, meaning they will profit if United later sell him for a higher fee. This is a common way for clubs to protect their investment.
Q: How do transfer add-ons work? Add-ons are additional payments tied to specific achievements, such as the player making a certain number of appearances, scoring goals, or the club qualifying for the Champions League. They make the deal more attractive to both sides by sharing risk.
Both Santos and Ederson are scheduled for medicals, and their signings are expected to be completed before United's first pre-season friendly against Wrexham on 18 July. The club is also expected to continue pursuing Crysencio Summerville as a forward addition, with negotiations ongoing.