Chelsea are reportedly willing to facilitate Andrey Santos’ departure this summer amid concrete interest from Manchester United.
According to Standard Sport’s Sam Tabuteau, the midfielder is ‘exploring his options’, with Newcastle United also in the race.
🚨Chelsea are open to letting Andrey Santos leave this summer. Blues do not want to sell, but Santos is exploring his options, with Man United and Newcastle interested. Chelsea also open to letting Alejandro Garnacho leave on a permanent deal #CFC https://t.co/4z9Uk7CgMN
— Sam Tabuteau (@tabuteauS) July 7, 2026
Andrey Santos: The state of play
The Blues value their player in the region of £50 million, having shelled out £17.5 million for him when signing Santos from Vasco de Gama in December 2022.
Yet, their options in the middle of the park have seen the 22-year-old fail to nail down a starting role throughout his Stamford Bridge tenure.
Andrey Santos doubles Chelsea's lead over Spurs! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/0m2u1bAM6H
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 19, 2026
Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, both of whom cost Chelsea over £100m, are two of the first names on the teamsheet – irrespective of which manager has been in the dugout in recent years.
The situation is unlikely to change under Xabi Alonso unless Fernandez gets his wish and is sold after the World Cup, but even still, you’d imagine Chelsea would then move to bring in a big-money replacement rather than promoting Santos to a starter.
Where might Santos want to ply his trade next?
Alas, Santos will want assurances over his game time before making a firm decision on his future.
Andrey Santos! 😱🔥
Chelsea have a special player on their hands…#ITVFootball | #CFC pic.twitter.com/3brsDFQMJt
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 19, 2025
Newcastle will be able to offer him the chance to play a pivotal role at the heart of Eddie Howe’s squad following Sandro Tonali’s exit, but the Magpies have no form of European football to entice their targets this summer.
United, on the other hand, secured their Champions League qualification in the final weeks of 2025/2026 and certainly looked like a side on the up when Michael Carrick took the reins in M16.
The six-capped Brazilian, who missed out on a World Cup call-up, made only 13 Premier League starts last term and featured for a total of just 1, 255 minutes.
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