Man Utd ‘finalising’ £50m Chelsea transfer as Éderson move breaks down

Man Utd are closing in on a deal to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea after reportedly backing out of their agreement to buy Éderson Silva from Atalanta in the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils have reportedly agreed to pay an initial transfer fee of £48 million plus £2 million in add-ons to the Blues for Santos.

The Brazilian midfielder was set to be joined by his compatriot Éderson, but it appears United are backing out of the £38 million agreement they made with Atalanta.

Man Utd to complete £50m Santos transfer with Chelsea

According to Sky Sports News, Man Utd are “putting the final touches” on the signings of Santos and Karl Darlow, who is joining on a free transfer after leaving Leeds United at the end of last season.

Both players have been at the club’s Carrington training ground to “finalise” their moves and conduct club interviews.

Santos, who has signed a five-year deal with the option of an additional year, arrives as part of United’s plan to bolster their midfield following the departure of Casemiro this summer.

Éderson was supposed to be the first of two or three midfield signings ahead of next season, but there has been an unexpected twist in the transfer.

The 27-year-old was all set to join Man Utd last month, but his arrival was delayed after being called up to Brazil’s World Cup by Carlo Ancelotti at the last minute.

Sky Italia claim that talks between United and Atalanta have “broken down”, and the Italian outfit have been informed that the deal will not proceed, after the player completed his medical.

Reports on Friday suggested the move had been thrown into doubt due to a knee injury that Éderson has been carrying. Sky, however, add that United deny the deal is off.

Éderson said in June that the transfer was “almost done” after Man Utd agreed to £34m plus £3.8m in potential bonuses, but it seems he will now return to Bergamo to continue playing for Atalanta under new boss Maurizio Sarri.

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