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Man United explore surprise move for Chelsea star Andrey Santos after conceding to Tottenham in race for £85m Mateus Fernandes - as Brazilian joins long list of midfield targets
Jul 08 2026 10:22 · By Chris Wheeler · 45 Reads
Manchester United
are exploring a move for
Chelsea
’s Andrey Santos as they continue to weigh up a number of potential midfield targets.
It’s understood that United’s interest is in its early stages and there has been no contact between the two clubs.
But United are aware that Santos might be available after falling behind
Enzo Fernandez
and Moises Caicedo in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, particularly after Caicedo signed a new seven-year contract in April.
Newcastle are understood to be among the other clubs interested in the 22-year-old Brazilian who has had loan spells at
Nottingham Forest
and Strasbourg since signing for Chelsea from Vasco da Gama for £18million three years ago. Chelsea are believed to value him at around £50million, although it’s unlikely United would be willing to pay that much.
They have already agreed a £39million deal with Atalanta for Brazil international
Ederson
, and remain keen on
Bournemouth
’s
Alex Scott
. The Cherries are reluctant to sell Scott and would demand around £80million for him.
Manchester United are exploring a summer move for Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos
Tottenham signed Manchester United target Mateus Fernandes for a hefty £85m last week
Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Scott’s Bournemouth teammate Tyler Adams are among the other names who have been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
United have prioritised strengthening their midfield in this transfer window after Casemiro left as a free agent at the end of his contract and Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury playing for Uruguay at the World Cup. Ugarte would probably have left the club had he not been facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes were both high on United’s list, but Anderson is set to compete a £116million move to Manchester City after the World Cup and Fernandes has joined Tottenham from West Ham for £85million.
Both were club record transfers, underlining the competitive nature of the market this summer as many top Premier League clubs focus on midfield.