Manchester United have agreed a £50 million deal with Chelsea for Brazilian midfielder Andrei Santos.
The deal has moved quickly in the past few hours after United announced their initial interest over the weekend.
United will pay an initial £48 million for Santos, plus an additional £2 million in “attainable” add-ons. Chelsea also agreed a 10% sale clause.
Santos has been cleared to undergo a medical and his compatriot Ederson must also undergo a medical before completing his £35m move from Italian side Atalanta following Brazil’s exit from the World Cup.
The news comes as United’s senior players prepare to return to pre-season training on Thursday and part of the solution to what has become a serious problem.
United prioritized a central midfielder this summer following the departure of Casemiro when the former Real Madrid veteran’s contract came to an end. Manuel Ugarte was about to be sold, but the Uruguay international was ruled out for a long period due to damage to the cruciate ligament of the knee.
However, their hopes of signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest faded when it became apparent that it would cost more than £110 million.
United turned their attention to West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes, but he instead moved to Tottenham after the north London side offered a guaranteed £85 million.
With Cobby Mainu still involved in the World Cup with England, United were scheduled to begin the pre-season campaign against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July with Mason Mount as the only recognized senior midfielder in Michael Carrick’s side.
Santos will be Chelsea’s third significant departure of the summer after Marc Cucurella was sold to Real Madrid and Tyreke George left for Everton.