Manchester United have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos in a deal worth £50 million.
The transfer gathered pace after United expressed their interest over the weekend, with the club agreeing to pay an initial £48 million, plus £2 million in achievable add-ons. Chelsea have also secured a 10% sell-on clause.
Santos has now been cleared to undergo a medical ahead of completing the move to Old Trafford.
The signing comes as United prepare for the return of their senior players for pre-season training and addresses a key area of concern in midfield.
The Red Devils made strengthening the middle of the park a priority following Casemiro’s departure at the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte has been ruled out for a lengthy spell with a cruciate knee ligament injury.
United had explored moves for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes but were unable to secure either player before turning their attention to Santos.
The Brazilian is expected to become Chelsea’s third major departure of the summer following the exits of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid and Tyrique George to Everton.
