Manchester United is actively exploring midfield reinforcements, reportedly making an initial inquiry for Chelsea's talented Brazilian midfielder, Andrey Santos. The move comes as the Red Devils aim to bolster their squad ahead of the 2026/27 season under manager Michael Carrick.
Football insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Manchester United has reached out to understand Santos' current situation and has held preliminary discussions with the player's representatives to gauge his interest in a potential transfer to Old Trafford. However, Romano stressed that no official bid has been submitted to Chelsea yet.
Interestingly, Chelsea is reportedly not considering Santos "untouchable" and could be open to a sale if a "substantial and convincing proposal" is put on the table. This suggests a potential opening for United if they decide to pursue the deal further.
United's interest in Santos aligns with their strategy to recruit younger, athletic midfielders suited to Michael Carrick's tactical system. Santos is recognized as a highly promising talent, praised for his defensive contributions, ball progression, and ability to impact both ends of the pitch. His profile is seen as an ideal complement to new signing Ederson, potentially creating a more dynamic and balanced midfield pairing.
This pursuit follows Manchester United's recent setbacks in the transfer market, having missed out on key targets Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, both of whom secured moves to Tottenham. Despite these disappointments, United continues to evaluate other midfield options, including Alex Scott and Bruno Guimaraes, signaling their determination to secure at least one more midfield signing before the transfer window closes.
