Manchester United have agreed a £50m deal with Chelsea for Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, with the 22-year-old cleared for a medical as the club moves to address a midfield crisis ahead of pre-season. The deal, which includes an initial £48m plus £2m in achievable add-ons and a 10% sell-on clause for Chelsea, progressed rapidly after United made their interest known over the weekend.
Santos is set to become the first signing since Michael Carrick was appointed manager on a permanent basis. He will be joined by fellow countryman Ederson, who is also scheduled for a medical before completing his £35m move from Atalanta, with an additional £3.8m possible in add-ons. Both Brazilians are arriving after their nation's World Cup elimination.
“Man Utd agree £50m deal for Andrey Santos and schedule Ederson medical as midfield overhaul intensifies.”
The urgency stems from United's depleted midfield. Casemiro's contract ended, Manuel Ugarte is ruled out for an extended period with cruciate knee ligament damage, and Kobbie Mainoo is still at the World Cup with England. With Mason Mount the only recognised senior midfielder in Carrick's squad, United face opening their pre-season campaign against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July. A move for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest faded when it became apparent it would cost in excess of £110m, and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes joined Tottenham after the north London club offered a guaranteed £85m.
United's recruitment team, who delivered last summer, have now turned attention to forward options. According to Sky Sports, United have identified West Ham's Crysencio Summerville as their number one target and have held initial talks with the Hammers. Summerville, 24, is on summer break after participating in the World Cup with the Netherlands, who were knocked out by Morocco in the round of 32. West Ham, relegated from the Premier League, could demand around £50m, with reports suggesting United would use funds from Marcus Rashford's sale to finance the deal. Liverpool and Tottenham have also been linked.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have sanctioned another departure: winger Tyrique George is poised to join Everton for a deal worth up to £24m, including add-ons. The 20-year-old, an England Under-21 international who came through Chelsea's academy, spent the second half of last season on loan at Everton, impressing manager David Moyes, who called him an "excellent boy with an excellent work-rate". Everton renegotiated the upfront fee to around £18m with add-ons based on European qualification and appearances, and Chelsea secured a 15% sell-on clause. George becomes Everton's second summer arrival after Hayden Hackney's £16m deal from Middlesbrough, with Merlin Rohl's loan made permanent and Idrissa Gana Gueye and Seamus Coleman departing.