Michael Carrick is set to add another Brazil international to his ranks after quickly agreeing a £50 million package for the Chelsea starlet
Manchester United have agreed to sign Chelsea star Andrey Santos after reaching a £50million agreement with Chelsea. The Brazilian, 22, is set to follow countryman Ederson to Old Trafford and become the second signing of Michael Carrick’s midfield rebuild.
Santos is set to move to the Theatre of Dreams on a permanent transfer after talks between United and Chelsea advanced over the last 48 hours. The Red Devils have agreed to pay £48m up front, with a further £2m due in add-ons, the MEN reports.
Personal terms between United and the player have been finalised. As part of the agreement, a 10 per cent sell-on clause has been inserted into the deal, which means Chelsea will take a slice of any future sale.
But it looks as though Carrick will get his man to partner Ederson in midfield, who is set to join from Atalanta now that the World Cup has concluded. It remains to be seen whether his potential arrival will end United’s reported interest in Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni.
Santos has been granted permission to travel to Manchester to complete a medical and is now poised to finalise his move to Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old, the first player to arrive under Todd Boehly’s reign at Stamford Bridge, looks set to fill the void left by Casemiro after his contract expired on June 30.
The Brazilian midfielder was used as a rotational option by both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior last season, making 42 appearances for Chelsea. That was his first full season in England after mixed loan spells with Nottingham Forest and RC Strasbourg.
Santos was included in Carlo Ancelotti’s initial 55-man World Cup squad for Brazil in June.
However, he was omitted as the list was whittled down to 26 players, although Ederson was called up as an emergency option following Wesley’s injury days before the tournament.
He has been able to rest prior to the start of pre-season and that will give Carrick a boost as he prepares to push through another signing before their friendly fixtures in Finland, Norway, Sweden and Ireland.