Man Utd weigh up move for Chelsea’s Andrey Santos in midfield rebuild

Manchester United have added Chelsea’s Andrey Santos to their list of midfield targets as they scramble to solve a problem position before the new season begins, according to the BBC’s Simon Stone.

United went into the summer needing reinforcements in central midfield after Casemiro left when his contract expired on 30 June, with Manuel Ugarte also expected to be sold. Kobbie Mainoo was their only recognised senior central midfielder heading into pre-season.

That plan has since unravelled. Ugarte suffered what he described as “the most serious injury a footballer can face” while on World Cup duty for Uruguay against Spain, with cruciate knee ligament damage thought likely to keep him out for the rest of 2026 and rule out any sale.

Missed targets Anderson and Fernandes

United’s business in the transfer market has also hit obstacles. Manchester City agreed a club-record £116 million deal with Nottingham Forest for England international Elliot Anderson on 25 June, having been United’s top midfield target.

Tottenham then paid a club-record £85 million for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes on 2 July, another player United had pushed hard to sign. Once Spurs’ interest became known, West Ham’s new co-chair Daniel Kretinsky held firm on a valuation above £80 million, and United feared any offer of £85 million, including add-ons, would simply prompt Spurs to go higher.

United have already agreed a £35 million deal with Serie A club Atalanta for Brazil midfielder Ederson, but his late call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad means his medical cannot take place until Brazil’s involvement in the tournament ends. Like all of United’s World Cup players, he will then be given a minimum of three weeks off.

Thin options for Carrick

Unless the picture changes, Mason Mount – viewed as more of an attacking player – will be the only senior midfielder available to boss Michael Carrick when the squad returns for pre-season testing and training on 9 July. United face Wrexham in a friendly in Helsinki on 18 July, the day before the World Cup final.

Beyond Mount, Carrick’s other central midfield options include Toby Collyer, who is wanted by Hull, Dan Gore, who spent last season on loan at League One side Rotherham United before their relegation, and twins Jack and Tyler Fletcher. Tyler Fletcher earned a surprise call-up to the Scotland squad after impressing during the build-up, though he did not feature.

United’s academy also has several central midfielders who could push for involvement, including Premier League 2 captain Jacob Devaney, who impressed on loan at Scottish Premiership side St Mirren last season, plus Jack Moorhouse, Jayce Fitzgerald, Sekou Kone and Jim Thwaites. A friendly against Norwegian side Rosenborg on 24 July offers United’s younger players another chance to catch Carrick’s eye before the fixtures intensify, starting with Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on 1 August.

Scott and Adams also on the radar

Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, 22, appears to be United’s current leading target, though Arsenal are also keen on the England Under-21 European champion. Scott made 37 league appearances last season as Bournemouth finished sixth, their highest-ever league position, to secure a Europa League spot.

Bournemouth have made clear that Scott, who has two years remaining on his contract, is not for sale, and the club want to tie him down to a long-term extension rather than sell.

United have also considered Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams, a player who rarely draws headlines but has been a consistent presence wherever he has played, despite missing games last season through knee and hamstring problems.

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