Manchester United have completed a £50million deal for Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, handing Michael Carrick a huge boost after a frustrating summer window. The 22-year-old Brazilian, who made 43 appearances for Chelsea last season, has signed a long-term contract following a medical in Manchester last week. “Everything about Manchester United is special,” Santos told the club website. “As a midfielder, I am really excited to have the opportunity to learn from Michael Carrick, he is the perfect coach to help me take the next step in my career.”
The arrival comes as United scramble to reinforce midfield after Casemiro left at the end of his contract last month and Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury at the World Cup. A move for Atalanta’s Ederson, for which a £38.8m package had been agreed earlier this summer, now appears to have fallen through. Santos was not part of Brazil’s World Cup squad and is expected to join Carrick’s squad for pre-season training. Youri Tielemans is also poised to join United imminently.
“Manchester United complete £50m Andrey Santos signing as Arsenal land Illan Meslier on free transfer.”
Arsenal, meanwhile, have strengthened their goalkeeping department by signing Illan Meslier on a free transfer from Leeds United. The Frenchman, 26, has agreed a two-year deal with the option of a further year after making 215 appearances and keeping 70 clean sheets across seven seasons at Elland Road. “I’m very happy and very proud to join Arsenal,” Meslier said. “I cannot wait to win trophies with this team, because this is a club that needs to lift trophies again and again.”
Meslier lost his place as Leeds’ number one and was out of contract this summer. He arrives as third-choice behind David Raya, who won the Premier League Golden Glove with 19 clean sheets in 37 games as Arsenal won the title last season, and Kepa Arrizabalaga. With Kepa’s future uncertain, Meslier could be promoted to number two, which would likely send 20-year-old Tommy Setford out on loan. BBC Sport first revealed Arsenal’s interest on 30 June.
Both moves reflect the divergent approaches of two clubs chasing success: United spending big to plug a midfield void, while Arsenal add depth on a free to support a title defence.