Manchester United are now linked with a move to sign Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos this summer, and 13 months ago, I was urging Ineos to make this happen.
I haven’t enjoyed this summer’s transfer window so far, seeing Manchester United miss out on both Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali due to their inflated price tags and wages.
But with United linked to Aurelien Tchouameni and now Andrey Santos, I am now thinking Ineos got this spot on, and we will end up with a better midfield rebuild.
Last summer, United also needed a midfielder, and I wanted Ineos to sign Santos. Since then, the Brazilian has only become a more attractive option.
Here is why.
Man Utd are looking at signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea… What is your verdict?
What is your advice to Ineos on the state of the transfer window so far?
Andrey Santos is the perfect example of Manchester United ‘buying the dip’
Santos might not be the massive name that fans were promised in midfield, but as the number two, I don’t think United can do much better for the £50m reported.
The Santos of Strasbourg was a Ligue 1 leading midfielder, better than United’s target Mamadou Sangare, and Lamine Camara have been in the same league.
Santos was then moved within the Blue Co group to Chelsea, where he has had to compete with a club in crisis and two £100m midfielders ahead of him.
However, his talent and potential remain undoubted. He is equally as exciting as a Mateus Fernandes or Elliot Anderson, and United could be making a real coup by signing Santos this summer while he is at an all-time low, price-wise and in terms of reputation.
This recruitment model is seen as buying the dip, with United’s impressive data team making it likely that Santos is considered a player who can go on to reach new heights.
Santos has earned the admiration of Carlo Ancelotti during his time in the Brazil squad, with the steely Italian.
“Andrey [Santos] has a lot of quality. I didn’t know much about him, but from what I saw this week, he is a complete midfielder.”
Santos was the Strasbourg captain in France, highlighting his leadership at such a young age.
At United, he would have the chance to play more, in a more important role of more importance, as an option behind Mainoo, alongside him, or as a rotation option for someone like Tchouameni.
Newcastle are now interested in Santos as well, according to the Standard, which shows United won’t have a clear run at him this summer and will have to treat him like the huge talent he is to win the race for his signature.
All of this makes him ideal for Michael Carrick.
Which transfer targets do you NOT want Man Utd to sign?
Let's turn the transfer question on it's head, and give Jason Wilcox some advice…
Santos can be better than Mateus Fernandes for United
Rebuilding a midfield department is no easy feat, and United are yet to really get started, with Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte both needing to be replaced.
Santos actually ticks two boxes.
Casemiro is Santos’ idol in football, and in terms of his style, there are aspects I see that remind me of Casemiro.
Santos is one of the best ball winners in the league, ranking in the 94th percentile for duels won and 73rd percentile for tackles won in the league per 90 during 2025/26.
This is despite Chelsea’s struggles and only starting 13 games, which is not enough time to really get into a groove.
Having just turned 22 in May, Santos is in the same age bracket as Fernandes would have been, but in terms of building a midfield around Kobbie Mainoo, Santos is a much better fit.
The Brazilian will do the things Mainoo isn’t incredible at defensively, is incredibly athletic and mobile, but also excels with the ball at his feet as he completes 91% of his passes, with a large number of forwards.
Data MB have Santos as being one of the best forward passers in the league, with Mainoo in eighth. Together, they would be a brilliant midfield that can be interchanged, played together, or alongside another addition.
All of this makes it so Santos fits better than £85m Fernandes at United, and actually depicts him as a player that perfectly suits Carrick’s needs.
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