Man Utd rivals in disbelief after INEOS paid £25m more than what they believed their player was worth
Chelsea reportedly valued Andrey Santos at just £25 million heading into the summer transfer window this year, according to The Athletic.
Yet, remarkably, Manchester United went on to agree a £50 million package for the Brazilian, shelling out an initial £48m and pledging a further £2m in add-ons.
Andrey Santos swapped blue for red in July
He became the first midfielder of United’s rebuild, and was later joined by Youri Tielemans (£35m) and Carlos Baleba (£70m).
Despite being their second most expensive coup of the summer, Santos has struggled with his game time since making the switch – and that was the only reason he green-lit a Chelsea exit in the first place, as he ranked behind both Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in the pecking order.
Had he stayed put, he could now be playing a much more prominent role under Xabi Alonso due to their late sale of Fernandez.
At Old Trafford, the 22-year-old is tasked with cementing a starting spot.
How Santos has been faring
Santos has been deployed from the off only four times in the Premier League so far this campaign, while he’s also been an unused substitute for three whole matches.
Across all competitions, he has accumulated 556 minutes on the pitch, and has completed three full 90s.
After Baleba went off injured in United’s win over AS Roma on Tuesday night, it may now lead to Santos playing a key role at the heart of Michael Carrick’s squad over the coming weeks.
The Reds take on Aston Villa at home on Sunday before club action hits pause for another international break.
