Manchester United have agreed a £50m deal for Chelsea's Andrey Santos and are finalising a £38m move for Atalanta's Ederson, addressing the void left by Casemiro's departure. Both players arrive with Champions League experience — Santos made 13 Premier League starts last season, while Ederson impressed in Serie A and Europe — though neither matches the profile of United's primary targets.

The club missed Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for £116m and Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham for £85m, while Spurs also secured Sandro Tonali for £100m. Aurelien Tchouameni extended at Real Madrid, and Bournemouth insist Alex Scott is not for sale despite United's interest. Director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who brought Santos to Chelsea, champions the Brazilian's versatility across midfield roles.

Kobbie Mainoo is currently the only fit senior central midfielder with Manuel Ugarte sidelined long-term and Mason Mount an occasional fill-in. Santos, 22, has 111 career appearances versus Tchouameni's 317 at 26, but statistical comparisons show similar passing and duel metrics. The Brazilian Federation rates him among their brightest prospects.

United's shortlist now includes Ayyoub Bouaddi, Felix Nmecha, and Sander Berge, though Bournemouth's European debut makes Scott unlikely to move. The window mirrors previous post-Champions League summers where early promise faded into underwhelming business, leaving United's midfield depth questionable for a dual-campaign season.