Andrey Santos could not get Chelsea ‘guarantee’ that led to Man Utd deal despite ‘hope he’d stay’
Andrey Santos is set to complete his £50million transfer from Chelsea to Manchester United in the coming days
Andrey Santos is set to leave Chelsea to join Manchester United(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto)
Manchester United have been given the reasons why Andrey Santos is more likely to secure regular first-team football at Old Trafford than he was during his time at Chelsea. United are on the verge of completing the signing of the midfielder from the Blues as they continue to bolster their options in the middle of the park.
It emerged on Wednesday that United had struck a £50million agreement to sign Santos from Chelsea, with the Brazilian poised to become the first arrival since Michael Carrick was appointed as the club’s permanent manager.
The deal is structured around a £48million upfront fee plus an additional £2million in add-ons for the Brazil international, with United and Chelsea also agreeing to include a sell-on clause in the transfer.
Santos has been granted permission to travel to Manchester today to complete a medical and finalise his move to United, with the remaining details of the transfer expected to be tied up shortly.
Santos looks set to become the latest Chelsea player to leave the club this summer, with Marc Cucurella already leaving Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid on a permanent deal.
With Santos edging closer to becoming a United player, the midfielder is set to depart Chelsea, having made 43 appearances for the Blues across all competitions last season.
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole, however, believes the 22-year-old is likely to enjoy greater opportunities at United, something he could not get with the Blues.
“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.
“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.
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“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).”
