Manchester United sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48 million as Ederson deal collapses

Manchester United completed the £48 million signing of Brazil international Andrey Santos from Chelsea on 13 July 2026. Santos, 22, signed a contract running until June 2031 with an option to extend for one further year. He completed a medical and has already begun training with the club.

Santos made 43 appearances for Chelsea last season and was part of the squad that won the Club World Cup in 2025. Director of football Jason Wilcox said Santos was a key target. "Andrey is an outstanding midfielder with excellent technical qualities and the ability to impact the game at both ends of the pitch," Wilcox said.

Santos said he was excited to join. "Everything about Manchester United is special," he said. " Manchester United are in advanced talks to sign Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. Tielemans' contract contains a release clause that simplifies negotiations.

The club has scrapped its plan to sign Ederson from Atalanta for £35 million after a medical identified an injury-related issue. Ederson underwent further tests in England after initial scans in the United States raised concerns. Sources say the deal could be revisited later in the summer on different terms.

Santos was not selected for the 2026 World Cup. Manchester United's pre-season campaign begins against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July.