Manchester United have sent a message to Chelsea over the transfer fee for midfield target Andrey Santos.
Michael Carrick has expressed interest in signing Brazil international Santos after missing out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes.
England World Cup star Anderson is joining United’s local rivals Manchester City in a deal worth £116m while Tottenham have signed Fernandes from West Ham for £85m.
Manchester United pulled out of the race for Anderson after discovering Man City were willing to pay over £100m for his signature, while they also gave Spurs a free run at Fernandes due to concerns over the price of the deal.
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Old Trafford bosses have identified Santos as an alternative to their former targets Anderson and Fernandes and are weighing up an official move for the Chelsea midfielder.
Santos joined Chelsea from Brazilian club Vasco da Gama in 2023 but it was only last season that he started getting regular minutes at Stamford Bridge.
Despite becoming a first-team regular, Santos’ long-term prospects at Chelsea still appear bleak given he is behind Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the pecking order.
As a result Santos is reportedly ‘open’ to leaving Chelsea, who value the Brazilian at £50m.
Chelsea may have to slash that asking price, however, as the Daily Mail say Manchester United have already indicated they are unwilling to meet that valuation.
United were first linked with Santos last summer but ultimately decided against signing a new midfielder in favour of three attacking players.
Midfield reinforcements are the priority concern this summer, however, after Casemiro left Old Trafford at the end of the season.
Manchester United will also be without Manuel Ugarte for a substantial period after he suffered a horror injury at the World Cup, although Carrick was already open to offers for the Uruguayan.
Santos could be given a more prominent role at Chelsea if Fernandez gets his wish and secures a summer move away from west London.
The Argentine World Cup winner is keen to join Real Madrid but that deal looks increasingly doubtful despite Jose Mourinho sanctioning a move.
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