Andrey Santos is set to wear the No. 17 jersey at Manchester United, according to an insider. The kit number leak comes as the club edges closer to formally announcing the Brazilian midfielder’s transfer from Chelsea.
The deal, reportedly worth £48 million upfront with another £2 million in achievable add-ons, was agreed between the two Premier League clubs two days ago. United also gave Chelsea a 10% sell-on clause as part of the arrangement.
Why United Went for Santos
United needed attacking reinforcements after missing out on primary targets Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes. Santos, 22, emerged as a fallback option, but the club’s scouting department had been tracking him for months. The Brazil international wanted more regular minutes, which weren’t happening at Stamford Bridge — especially after Moises Caicedo signed a new contract, locking down that midfield spot.
Santos passed his medical and signed his contract, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano. So he’s technically a United player already. Fans are still waiting for the big reveal, but Sam Cohen on X broke the news on the shirt number.
“EXCLUSIVE: Understand Andrey Santos will wear the number 17 shirt at Manchester United, I’m told,” Cohen posted.
What About Ederson?
Meanwhile, it’s still unclear what’s happening with fellow Brazilian Ederson, who had been linked with a move to Old Trafford. Romano reported Friday that his transfer fell through after United did a closer medical check. Gianluca Di Marzio backed that up, but some England-based journalists say the deal isn’t dead yet. So that one’s still messy.
For now, United gets a young midfielder who can play box-to-box and has a nose for goal. Santos scored seven times in 29 appearances for Chelsea’s loan sides last season, and United’s coaching staff thinks he can add a scoring threat from deep. They’re probably right.
The official announcement should drop any day now. No. 17 is already spoken for.
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