Man Utd get £50m Andrey Santos transfer verdict after ‘unfortunate’ Chelsea scenario
Andrey Santos is set to become Manchester United’s first signing of the summer transfer window, with the midfielder poised to join the Red Devils from Chelsea in a £50m deal
Chelsea star Andrey Santos is set to join Manchester United(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Manchester United have been informed why Andrey Santos stands a far better chance of securing regular first-team football at Old Trafford than he ever did during his spell with Chelsea. United are on the verge of finalising a deal to sign the midfielder as they press ahead with strengthening their options in the middle of the park.
News surfaced on Wednesday that United had struck a £50million agreement to bring Santos from Chelsea, with the Brazilian poised to become the first arrival since Michael Carrick’s appointment as permanent manager.
The deal’s structure comprises an initial £48million fee with a further £2million available through add-ons for the Brazil international, while United and Chelsea have also negotiated a sell-on clause as part of the arrangement.
Santos has been granted permission to travel to Manchester for a medical today ahead of completing his switch to United, with the final details of the move anticipated to be wrapped up shortly.
Santos appears set to become United’s opening signing this summer, with Atalanta’s Ederson also lined up for a move to Old Trafford following the £38.8million package agreed earlier in the window.
With Santos seemingly destined to become a United player imminently, the midfielder is preparing to leave Chelsea, where he made 43 appearances across all competitions last season.
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole, however, believes the 22-year-old is set to enjoy far more minutes at United following Casemiro’s exit, while Cole also explained what was “unfortunate” for Santos at Stamford Bridge.
“Finances have no doubt come into play with both clubs. The fee definitely suits where both clubs are operating at the minute,” Cole told Paddy Power.
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“He’s a very, very good player with massive promise. The unfortunate thing for Andrey is that the two positions he can play for Chelsea are taken by (Moises) Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.
“He’s probably behind Romeo Lavia in the pecking order when he’s fit too. So it’s been very difficult for him to break in, but he’s been brilliant whenever he did play. “I’m not surprised there were a few clubs in for him.
“Granted, he’s not a (Sandro) Tonali at the moment, but he could improve into it. He’ll definitely get more game time at Manchester United with Casemiro out of the picture now.
“I had hoped he’d stay at Chelsea but it’s a real good signing (for United).”
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