There has been much debate over Andrey Santos leaving Chelsea and joining Manchester United. The Brazilian midfielder wants more game time and believes a switch to Old Trafford will grant him just that.
Santos is reportedly set to undergo a medical ahead of joining United in a £50m deal. He becomes part of Michael Carrick's midfield rebuild following Casemiro's departure.
The fee has been a major talking point, with Chelsea fans unhappy with the decision to sell the 22-year-old. Some point out that the likes of Romeo Lavia or Dario Essugo should have been offloaded ahead of the Brazilian.
Meanwhile, the United fanbase is not thrilled with paying a hefty fee for a squad player, especially after missing out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes. They feel the Blues have been repaid for the disappointing Alejandro Garnacho purchase.
Andrey Santos deal makes sense for Chelsea and Man Utd
While both sets of supporters have valid reasons to question the deal, the two clubs might have pulled off a blinder. It's important to acknowledge where the market is at, and you only need to look at Fernandes heading to Spurs for £85m.
Santos might not be at Fernandes' level, but he's young and didn't get the desired role in the Chelsea team he desired. He showcased huge potential during his time on loan at Strasbourg but unfortunately found himself third-choice in a stacked midfield pool.
There's no chance of Santos displacing Moises Caicedo in Xabi Alonso's midfield in the short and long term. Caicedo is still only 24, and he'll be holding down the number six position for years to come after signing a new long-term deal in April 2026.
Why Chelsea and Man Utd will be happy
For the Blues, it's a sale that allows them to focus on improving areas of Alonso's squad that need addressing. This might also mean Enzo Fernandez is staying put after Real Madrid ruled out moving for the Argentine.
United's stance will be that they are signing a young talent with plenty of promise. The club are thought to have made two approaches to his agents earlier this year, which speaks volumes of their admiration.
The price may seem steep, but when you factor in his age and profile, it's easy to understand why the Red Devils were prepared to pay up. They might believe he'll explode at Old Trafford in a similar fashion to how Cole Palmer became a world-class attacker after leaving Manchester City for more game time at Stamford Bridge.
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