Manchester United signs Andrey Santos for £48m and targets Youri Tielemans

Manchester United has completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48 million on July 13, 2026. The club is also in advanced negotiations to acquire Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa as they seek to strengthen their midfield.

Andrey Santos Joins Manchester United

Andrey Santos, 22, underwent a successful medical and has signed a contract extending to June 2031, with an option for an additional year. United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, praised Santos, stating, "Andrey is an outstanding midfielder with excellent technical qualities and the ability to impact the game at both ends of the pitch."

Santos expressed his excitement about joining the club, saying, "Everything about Manchester United is special. It is an incredible feeling to join a club that some of my biggest idols have represented." He emphasized his eagerness to learn from United's boss, Michael Carrick, a former England midfielder.

Potential Tielemans Transfer

The interest in Youri Tielemans has been ongoing, with sources indicating that his contract at Aston Villa includes a release clause, making negotiations more straightforward. The 29-year-old midfielder recently played a significant role in Belgium's World Cup quarter-final run but had to withdraw from a match against Spain due to injury.

Securing Tielemans would alleviate concerns among the fanbase regarding United's midfield depth, especially following the departure of Casemiro and injuries to Manuel Ugarte. Currently, the only experienced central midfielder available is Kobbie Mainoo.

Ederson Transfer Stalled

Manchester United's plans to sign Ederson from Atalanta for £35 million have been put on hold due to medical concerns related to an injury. Initial reports indicated that the transfer had stalled because of a knee issue flagged during medical tests in the United States.

Club officials have stated that they must prioritize the club's interests, even though there is a possibility of revisiting the Ederson transfer later in the summer. The situation with Ederson is not directly linked to the acquisition of Santos.