Manchester United’s deal for Andrey Santos developed quickly, and it’s becoming a part of a wider pattern by an Ineos man with inside knowledge.
From the first links to Andrey Santos to the confirmation that Man Utd have agreed a deal worth an initial £48m for him, it took less than three days.
Clearly, Man Utd had been doing background work on him for a while, and Andrey Santos’ style of play makes him an intriguing fit at Old Trafford.
The wider picture is even better for Man Utd fans, because a key Ineos man is using his inside knowledge of Chelsea for the club’s benefit.
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Christopher Vivell is taking Chelsea for a ride
Christopher Vivell earned a permanent role at Man Utd after initially arriving as temporary help with recruitment.
He has more than earned his wages at the club, with his chief contribution being how he’s used his inside knowledge of Chelsea to benefit United.
Vivell was at Chelsea for just seven months, from January 2023 to July 2023, before a breakdown in relations with the board saw him get placed on gardening leave.
In that time, Vivell made Santos one of his first signings at Chelsea, signing the Brazilian from Vasco de Gama for just £18m.
Santos then had a good loan at Strasbourg, and played more than 1,000 Premier League minutes for Chelsea last season.
They might have received a profit from Santos’ sale, but Vivell knows better than anyone how good Santos can be.
He’s just convinced United to sign an exciting player of high potential on a “dip”, as a stressed asset, and it’s not the first time he’s done so.
United also took Chelsea for a ride last summer, when they sold Alejandro Garnacho for £40m, a deal that is looking like daylight robbery from United a year on.
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Vivell knows that Chelsea can be had if you sell them on the potential of a young player, and he finessed a £40m deal for a player they are already looking to sell after a poor season.
Gone are the days of Chelsea doing this to Man Utd, when they sold an injured and expiring contract Mason Mount to the club for £55m.
Vivell knows most of the young talent at Chelsea and understands how the board thinks at Stamford Bridge.
That insider knowledge has helped United offload a problem player last season and sign an exciting player this season.
Long may it continue!
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