Man Utd news: Doubts emerge as £50m transfer target has medical and star makes contract claim
Manchester United’s chances at landing one signing this summer have been boosted after he confirmed a clause in his current contract
Man United’s move for Andrey Santos has been called into question(Image: Visionhaus, Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Manchester United’s summer spending is about to take off as the club stands on the verge of not one but two major midfield signings. However, there’s more to come from Michael Carrick’s squad in the transfer window as another target campaigns for a move.
With the World Cup entering the business stage, an increasing number of players are now starting to sort out their club affairs. And two players in particular appear to be inches from signing on the dotted line in a double deal that will cost close to £100million.
The investments won’t stop there, however, as speculation mounts over another target who was recently in World Cup action. Mirror Football rounds up the latest United headlines this weekend.
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Andrey Santos concerns
United are reportedly on the cusp of signing Andrey Santos with the midfielder undergoing his medical ahead of a £50m transfer on Friday. However, not everyone linked to Old Trafford is a fan of the signing.
That’s after Old Trafford icons Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt raised doubts over the player’s profile and whether he’s ready for a starting berth under Carrick. The 22-year-old made 43 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea last season, though that seemingly isn’t enough to convince the United duo he’s ready to lead at the Theatre of Dreams.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes questioned the investment given Santos’ limited Premier League experience: “Where’ve they seen him play enough games? United aren’t in the position to be buying players for the future at this point.”
Butt cast further doubt over the signing and added: “He’s young and he’s for the future. It’s a surprise because we’ve been looking at big hitters coming in but we’re looking at his potential.
“The big thing for me is if he’s been brought in to come and start for us, United and Carrick don’t have time to let people bed in.”
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It’s worth noting Santos, who looks set to join alongside compatriot Ederson, has been competing with more than £200m worth of midfield talent in Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo at Stamford Bridge. If anything, however, it’s impressive he still managed to clock such significant game time with such high-calibre names as his rivals.
Santos previously spent an unremarkable five months on loan at Nottingham Forest in the first half of the 2023/24 campaign. He was only 19 at the time, however, and is clearly a different player today following his loan stay at Strasbourg followed by his Blues breakthrough.
Complementing the influx of other Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking talents at the club, Santos could be part of a new generation of samba style in Manchester. However, there are those around the club who will require some convincing.
Star makes contract claim
Orlando Gill has confirmed the existence of a clause in his contract that may just open the door for a move to United. The Paraguay goalkeeper is reportedly on the Red Devils’ radar following a string of heroic displays against the likes of Germany and France at the World Cup.
United supposedly want fresh competition for No. 1 stopper Senne Lammens and could rival Aston Villa to sign Gill. Argentinian newspaper Clarin has reported Gill’s current club, San Lorenzo, is in nearly £50m of debt, which could simplify United’s job.
The outlet also reported Gill has a release clause in his contract allowing him to leave for around £5.2m. And the 26-year-old appeared responsive to a potential move when quizzed about the recent surge in rumours.
Addressing the matter after returning to Paraguay this month, Gill said: “I can’t say yes or no. They told me there is interest, but not a formal offer. I don’t want to get carried away. We’ll sit down and speak with the club to see what is best.”
He continued: “I have a clause in my contract and I think it has to be respected. Then it depends on the club. If it’s good for both parties, we’ll have to reach an agreement.”
A summer move to Old Trafford may not have been the outcome Gill expected when he departed for the World Cup in June. However, that’s the potential impact of starring on the elite stage for all the world to see.
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