Story perspectives

Data-Driven United Splurge £85 m on Santos, Ederson.

7/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Manchester United will sign Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos for £50 million, pending a medical.
United have agreed to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson for £35 million plus £3.8 million in add-ons, pending a medical.
Data-driven recruitment led by Michael Sansoni chose Santos because his metrics matched targets like Elliot Anderson.
Former United players Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt criticised the deal, doubting a £50 million signing with only 13 starts can become a starter.

History

Historical Context

In July 2002 Manchester United paid £29.1 million for Leeds defender Rio Ferdinand, breaking the British transfer record for the third time in a year after the £19 million signing of Ruud van Nistelrooy and the £28.1 million purchase of Juan Sebastián Verón. That deal marked the start of a pattern of escalating fees that later saw United set world-record transfers such as Paul Pogba’s £89.3 million move in 2016.

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Story summary

Manchester United will sign Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos for £50 million, pending a medical.
United have agreed to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson for £35 million plus £3.8 million in add-ons, pending a medical.
Data-driven recruitment led by Michael Sansoni chose Santos because his metrics matched targets like Elliot Anderson.
Former United players Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt criticised the deal, doubting a £50 million signing with only 13 starts can become a starter.

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