Man Utd Still Crushing on Chelsea's Andrey Santos – But Is the Brazilian Up for Grabs This Summer?

Picture this: you're nursing a pint, scrolling transfer gossip, and Manchester United pop up sniffing around Chelsea's gem again. Yep, Andrey Santos, the 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder, is still on the Red Devils' wishlist as they brace for Casemiro's inevitable exit come June. But here's the kicker – the Blues aren't waving him off just yet.

INEOS bigwigs at Old Trafford are eyeing midfield reinforcements, and Santos fits the bill perfectly. He's got that tenacity, vision, and a knack for bossing the engine room. United have been admirers for ages, but no one's picking up the phone from Stamford Bridge to say 'come and get him'.

From Chelsea Blues to Strasbourg Boom

Rewind a bit. Andrey Santos finally sealed his dream move to Chelsea from Vasco da Gama, but the Blues parked him on loan rather than rushing him in. Fast forward to the 2025/26 season – under Enzo Maresca, the kid was barely getting a sniff.

In the opening 19 Premier League games, he started just four times and warmed the bench unused on five occasions. A measly 441 minutes in the top flight before Maresca got the boot. No wonder United perked up – they smelled an opportunity.

Enter Liam Rosenior, the gaffer who knows Santos inside out from last season's loan stint at Strasbourg. Rosenior chucked him straight into the deep end, starting him in all 32 Ligue 1 matches he was fit for – even handing over the captain's armband now and then. Proper trust, that.

Rosenior's Magic Touch – United's Summer Dream in Tatters?

Since Rosenior took over at Chelsea, Santos has been reborn. In the eight league games under the new boss, he's started five and subbed on twice. From benchwarmer to key man overnight – it's like flicking a switch.

This turnaround has transfer guru Ben Jacobs pouring cold water on United's hopes. Chatting to The United Stand, he said Chelsea reckon Santos' path from Strasbourg back to Stamford Bridge is sorted, especially with a manager who rates him to the hilt. "No active talks since the Garnacho chatter," Jacobs noted, though he left a cheeky door ajar: if Chelsea twitch, United might pounce before summer.

It's classic transfer window cat-and-mouse. United need bodies in midfield with Casemiro off – age catching up, contract winding down. But Chelsea, post-Maresca reset, see Santos as future gold. Will INEOS splash the cash, or is this just pub talk?

Santos himself? Quietly grafting. At 21, he's got the world at his feet – Ligue 1 minutes banking up, leadership chops emerging. United fans, dreaming of a South American successor to Casemiro's throne, might have to wait. Or splash out big.

For now, it's watch-this-space stuff. Grab another round, lads – the window's heating up, and Santos could be the name on everyone's lips come June.