Manchester United is circling Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos as part of a broader midfield overhaul under manager Michael Carrick, with Chelsea reportedly valuing the 22-year-old Brazilian at around £50 million. The move is still in its early stages, but it signals United’s urgency to retool after missing out on other summer targets.

The Santos situation at Chelsea

Santos arrived at Chelsea from Brazilian club Vasco da Gama for £18 million in 2023. Across his time at Chelsea, Santos has racked up 47 appearances, scoring 3 goals and providing 5 assists.

Santos spent time on loan at both Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg during his early tenure, which gave him experience across different leagues but also prevented him from building sustained momentum at Chelsea. Football journalist Andy Mitten has noted that while Santos has Premier League experience and potential, he is “not yet a settled or established talent.”

Chelsea, for their part, don’t consider Santos untouchable. The club remains open to selling him if the right offer materializes, though they haven’t initiated direct negotiations with United. Instead, they’re letting inquiries flow through the player’s agents.

For context, fellow midfielder Elliot Anderson moved for a staggering £116 million this window. Chelsea asking £50 million for a player they bought for £18 million and never fully integrated into their first team reflects a market where £50 million for a 22-year-old Brazilian international is comparatively modest.

Why United wants him

United’s interest in Santos didn’t materialize in a vacuum. The club has been actively pursuing midfield reinforcements this summer, and after missing out on primary targets like Anderson, they’ve turned their attention to alternative options.

Santos is reportedly eager for consistent playing time to further his development and strengthen his case for regular inclusion in the Brazil national team. Several clubs have expressed interest in Santos this summer, which could drive Chelsea’s asking price even higher or force United to move faster than they’d like.

The risk for United is straightforward. They’d be paying top-tier prices for a player who has yet to prove he’s a top-tier performer. Santos has the raw tools, but 47 appearances with only 3 goals and 5 assists over multiple seasons is a thin resume for a £50 million price tag.