Manchester United don set target for Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, wey dem value around £50 million. Talks never start between di two clubs, but dem dey expect say United go soon make offer.
After dem miss out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, United dey look elsewhere to rebuild dia midfield under Michael Carrick. Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott also dey on dia radar.
Di Brazilian star dey behind Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández for Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea need to raise funds to help new head coach Xabi Alonso strengthen di squad. Santos dey open to leave Chelsea to get more regular minutes, as Caicedo just sign contract extension wey block am.
Newcastle United dey monitor di situation too, as dem dey search for replacement for Sandro Tonali, wey go join Tottenham. United go return to Champions League dis season and dem don identify midfield as di area wey need di most investment.
United already get agreement to sign Éderson from Atalanta for £35 million, but di deal delay because of di player late World Cup call-up. Dey shortage of midfield depth after Casemiro leave di club and Manuel Ugarte suffer knee ligament damage for Uruguay defeat by Spain last week.
Santos, wey be 22 years old, move to Chelsea from Vasco da Gama for £18 million in 2023 before go on loan to Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg. He play 27 Premier League matches last season, score once. He get six caps for Brazil but no dey part of Carlo Ancelotti World Cup squad.
Newcastle don lose Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali for around £170 million combined, so dem need to reinvest. Dem dey close to sign Bazoumana Toure and prepare bid for Johan Manzambi, wey shine for Switzerland World Cup campaign. But move for Lamine Camara from AS Monaco no dey likely now, so dem turn to Santos.
Santos be one of many highly-rated youngsters Chelsea sign since BlueCo takeover. While he do more than most, e still no be established starter. He get Caicedo and Fernandez ahead of am. And when he get chance, e no do enough. He look like consistent goalscorer for Strasbourg loan, but under same manager Liam Rosenior, e never come close to dat form for Chelsea.
Chelsea no get plenty financial flexibility, so dem dey open to Santos exit for right offer. Di player dey receptive to leave for more minutes. Santos be steady presence for midfield. Newcastle fit put am for starting XI and e go do decent job, but e get huge upside. E feel like we never see am at his best for Chelsea; maybe e need different environment to produce dat.
