<p>Even though <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/casemiro/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Casemiro</strong></a> is coming off an impressive season, he decided not to renew his contract with <strong>Manchester United</strong>, leaving as free agent. The veteran midfielder has not yet signed with any club, but the Red Devils have moved to strengthen their midfield. Despite the 2026 World Cup still being underway,<strong> the Red Devils have announced the signing of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/andrey-santos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andrey Santos</a> from Chelsea for $67 million.</strong></p>



<p><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/manchester-united/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manchester United</a> have announced the signing of Andrey Santos</strong> from Chelsea. Regarded as one of the game’s brightest prospects, he has been offered a <strong>contract until 2031</strong>, along with a unilateral <strong>option for an additional year</strong>. While the Red Devils did not disclose the financial details, Fabrizio Romano revealed that the deal was completed for <strong>$67 million, along with a 10% sell-on clause</strong> in favor of the Blues.</p>



<p>During the 2025-26 season, <strong>Andrey did not become an undisputed starter for Chelsea,</strong> but he still played a significant role. Across 43 appearances, he scored three goals and provided four assists. With Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo ahead of him, <strong>the Brazilian was destined for a secondary role</strong>. As a result, his move to the Red Devils appears to be the ideal opportunity to establish himself in European soccer.</p>



<p>Unlike at Chelsea, <strong>Andrey Santos will find the ideal opportunity at Manchester United to play an important role</strong>. With Casemiro gone and Manuel Ugarte expected to leave soon, the young Brazilian appears to be arriving as a regular midfield option, <strong>serving as the team’s stopper.</strong> At just 22 years old, he has the perfect opportunity to establish among the Premier League elite under head coach Michael Carrick.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dreams do come true.<a href="https://x.com/04Andrey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@04Andrey</a> is proof of that 🔏 <a href="https://t.co/2ZiSP7y9ai">pic.twitter.com/2ZiSP7y9ai</a></p>— Manchester United (@ManUtd) <a href="https://x.com/ManUtd/status/2076651607522242596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2026</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>Andrey Santos hails Michael Carrick as the ‘perfect’ coach</h2>



<p>Throughout his tenure at Chelsea, Andrey Santos never had a head coach who fully committed to his talent. As a result, his move to Manchester United appears to be the perfect opportunity, as head coach Michael Carrick considers him a key part of both the club’s present and future. During his official presentation, <strong>the 22-year-old midfielder decided to praise Carrick, making it clear that he is the perfect coach for his professional career.</strong></p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/casemiro-to-join-elite-group-of-27-players-who-have-played-alongside-both-messi-and-ronaldo-amid-inter-miami-move/"></div>


<p><em>“Everything about Manchester United is special. It is an incredible feeling to join a club that some of my biggest idols have represented. As a midfielder, <strong>I am really excited to have the opportunity to learn from Michael Carrick</strong>,<strong> he is the perfect coach to help me take the next step in my career </strong>and push to achieve my dreams,”</em> reveals Andrey Santos, via <a href="https://www.manutd.com/en/news/andrey-santos-signs-for-manchester-united" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manchester United website.</a></p>



<p><strong>With only Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount in midfield, Andrey is expected to play a very important role during the 2026-27 season.</strong> Carrick has consistently shown a strong commitment to developing young talent, something that will be key to the Brazilian’s growth. Unlike other young foreign players, he has already played in the Premier League with two clubs, so he understands how to play in the league and that will be crucial to his adaptation.</p>


Casemiro’s replacement arrives as Manchester United complete $67M Andrey Santos deal

Casemiro's replacement arrives as Manchester United complete $67M Andrey Santos deal - World Soccer Talk

main

<p>Barcelona is following the situation surrounding the 19-year-old Chelsea starlet Andrey Santos on loan at Nottingham Forest.</p>



<p>The Premier League powerhouses trumped their rivals in January 2023 to recruit the promising talent. The expectation was that he would be able to make an instant impact with the first squad.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> was not successful in obtaining a work visa, and the central midfielder had to return to Vasco Da Gama on loan until the end of the season. However, upon his return this summer, he was unable to establish himself among the club’s upper echelons at Stamford Bridge.</p>



<h5>Awaiting a Premier League appearance</h5>



<p>The Brazilian’s pre-season performance was impressive. Still, Chelsea loaned him out again. This time, he joined <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/nottingham-forest-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers">Nottingham Forest</a>. It seemed like the best thing for his growth would be to go to a less popular <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">Premier League</a> side.</p>



<p>But it has been almost a month, and he still has not made his league debut. On August 30, he made his only appearance for Forest, a starting role in a Carabao Cup loss to Burnley.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFFC</a> head coach Steve Cooper says he has spoken with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a> this week about loan signing Andrey Santos. Cooper said Santos has been in his thinking, and circumstances have gone against him making a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PL</a> debut so far this season. <br><br>📽: <a href="https://twitter.com/jakebrigstock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jakebrigstock</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZfFFbNcF36">pic.twitter.com/ZfFFbNcF36</a></p>— Notts TV (@Notts_TV) <a href="https://twitter.com/Notts_TV/status/1709957341162914183?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>To make matters worse, when Steve Cooper’s side traveled to face Manchester City on September 23, he was not even included in the matchday squad. As a result, the 19-year-old is upset and angry, as per The Athletic.</p>



<h2>Barcelona provides lifeline for Andrey Santos</h2>



<p>Now, the Blues are considering finding him a new club in the next January transfer window. Not playing Santos when he is healthy costs Forest money, under the terms of a mutually agreed-upon contract.</p>



<p>Despite his limited presence, the young starlet has not escaped <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a>‘s notice. There has been long-standing interest from the Blaugrana in the promising Brazilian midfielder. Unfortunately, the club’s financial circumstances prevented any move.</p>



<p>According to Catalan daily <a href="https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/andrey-santos-fichaje-barca-ostracismo-92910997" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sport</a>, Xavi Hernandez’s side sees Santos as an unpolished gem who made a poor decision about where to play professionally. The story goes on to say that Deco, the new sports director of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-la-liga-on-us-tv-and-internet/">La Liga</a> winners, has a solid rapport with Giuliano Bertolucci, the player’s agent.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / NurPhoto</em></p>


Barcelona linked with surprising move for upset Chelsea loanee

Despite two unsuccessful attempts to acquire Andrey Santos, Barcelona is persistent in their pursuit of the Brazilian rising star.

Latest news from Andrey Santos. Find out about all the news related to Andrey Santos on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Andrey Santos"

World Cup

Casemiro’s replacement arrives as Manchester United complete $67M Andrey Santos deal

News

Barcelona linked with surprising move for upset Chelsea loanee