NEW: Manchester United are still keen on Chelsea’s Andrey Santos after first asking about him during the summer!

Manchester United have reignited their interest in Chelsea’s promising young Brazilian midfielder, Andrey Santos. The Red Devils first made contact about a possible move during the summer transfer window and have continued monitoring his situation closely ever since.

Santos, 21, is regarded as one of Brazil’s brightest prospects. His performances on loan at Strasbourg last season turned heads across Europe, particularly in Manchester, where United scouts were impressed by his maturity, passing range, and ball-winning ability. Despite those strong displays, Santos has struggled to find regular game time at Chelsea, where competition in midfield remains fierce.

Chelsea’s midfield is currently stacked with high-profile signings like Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández. With both players ahead in the pecking order, Santos’s pathway into the first team appears blocked, and that has alerted Manchester United. The Old Trafford club are actively looking to strengthen their midfield options, particularly after a series of inconsistent displays from new signing Manuel Ugarte and the ongoing decline of veteran Casemiro.

Sources suggest United’s interest in Santos isn’t new. They reportedly made their first formal enquiry about him during the summer when discussing other potential transfer dealings with Chelsea. Since then, the club’s scouts have kept tabs on his development and believe he fits the mold of the type of midfielder United want to build around in the coming years.

However, Chelsea have made it clear that they do not intend to sell. The club still views Santos as a major long-term asset and is unwilling to let a potential future star join a direct Premier League rival. This stance is understandable, especially given Chelsea’s history of regrettable sales in recent years. The departures of Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah, both of whom were sold early in their careers only to become world-class elsewhere, continue to haunt the club’s hierarchy.

For United, the situation is a delicate one. Signing a young talent like Santos could be a smart long-term investment, but it doesn’t immediately solve their current midfield issues. The team needs players who can deliver now, not just prospects for the future. Bringing in Santos without a clear development plan or guaranteed minutes could stall his progress and turn what looks like a smart move on paper into another expensive misfire.

Still, the attraction is obvious. Santos is versatile, technically gifted, and possesses the kind of composure and vision United’s midfield has lacked this season. He also fits the profile of a modern Premier League midfielder — athletic, comfortable under pressure, and able to contribute on both sides of the pitch. If given time and trust, he could develop into a cornerstone player for years to come.

From Chelsea’s perspective, the challenge is to ensure they don’t repeat past mistakes. If they truly believe in Santos’s potential, he needs consistent opportunities either through carefully planned loan spells or integrated minutes in the first team. If not, it might be better to cash in before his value drops due to lack of playing time.

For now, Manchester United remain keen observers. Their recruitment team is expected to revisit the situation in January or next summer, depending on Chelsea’s position and Santos’s playing time in the months ahead. Both clubs are playing a patient game, and much will depend on how the young Brazilian’s role at Stamford Bridge evolves.

The bottom line? United’s pursuit of Andrey Santos could turn out to be either a masterstroke or a wasted effort. Everything hinges on Chelsea’s willingness to negotiate and whether United can prove they have a proper development plan in place. Until then, the saga remains one of the more intriguing subplots of the upcoming transfer window — a quiet battle between two Premier League giants over a player who could shape the future of midfield football in England.