Manchester United are on the verge of finalising their first signing of the summer transfer window, with Ederson expected to undergo his medical later this week. The agreement, valued at an initial £35 million plus £3.8 million in potential add-ons, was arranged last month, but the 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder’s move was delayed when he received a late call-up to represent his country at the World Cup.

Following Brazil’s elimination by Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday evening under Carlo Ancelotti’s management, Ederson is now set to travel to England to complete his transfer to Old Trafford. However, ahead of that fixture in New York, reports from Brazil suggested that the move had “collapsed.”

Manchester United officials were quick to clarify to trusted journalists that the deal remained intact, wishing to avoid any distractions as their potential recruit prepared for a crucial World Cup encounter. Despite that, the rumours triggered widespread online reaction, with many supporters and tactical analysts expressing satisfaction at the prospect of the deal falling apart.

While such sentiment may be disheartening for a player eager to join the Red Devils, there is an uncomfortable truth: Manchester United might be better served by calling off the transfer, as a superior option — Ederson’s Brazilian compatriot, Andrey Santos — has emerged as an appealing alternative for the club.

Andrey Santos, aged 22, has long been on United’s radar. The club explored a move for the Chelsea midfielder last summer during discussions over Alejandro Garnacho’s proposed £40 million transfer.

At that time, Chelsea were adamant that the Brazil international was not for sale. Santos is highly regarded at Stamford Bridge and has been praised by Liam Rosenior as “outstanding” and “world class.” His ability to operate both as a No.6 and No.8 makes him a versatile asset within any midfield setup.

However, Santos is now seeking regular first-team football, having grown dissatisfied with being a backup to Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. His desire for more opportunities has led Chelsea to reconsider their stance this summer.

Although the Blues would prefer to keep him, they are open to his departure if a suitable offer is received. The asking price is believed to be around £50 million — approximately £10 million more than the fee United have agreed for Ederson.

Over the past year, Manchester United have maintained consistent communication with Santos’ representative, Giuliano Bertolucci, holding several meetings. That interest has intensified recently, with direct talks now underway between United and Chelsea as INEOS aim to finalise a deal they had initially wanted 12 months ago.

Respected journalist Andy Mitten, known for his connections at Old Trafford, has reported that club insiders believe Santos possesses a “brilliant football brain” and the potential to become Brazil’s next great holding midfielder. Many see him as a natural successor to Casemiro for the national team, given his leadership experience as captain at youth level.

This raises an obvious question: if Santos can eventually replace Casemiro for Brazil, why shouldn’t Manchester United prioritise him as Casemiro’s long-term replacement at Old Trafford?

Tactically, Santos and Ederson share several traits, especially when out of possession. Both are strong in duels and transitions, boast impressive stamina, and can perform different midfield roles effectively thanks to their defensive awareness and tactical understanding. However, when it comes to technical ability, Santos clearly stands apart.

Santos offers a far more progressive and creative passing range, capable of breaking lines with purpose and precision. He is also adept in tight spaces, using quick footwork and composure on the half-turn to evade pressure. Ederson, on the other hand, often struggles when pressed in possession, preferring conservative passes over incisive ones. This cautious approach inflates his pass-completion numbers — a pattern similar to that of Manuel Ugarte — but it conceals his limitations rather than highlighting his strengths.

In attacking output, the difference is even starker. Across 305 career appearances, Ederson has registered 26 goals and 10 assists. Santos, in just 167 matches — nearly half that total — has already scored 31 goals and provided 12 assists.

According to Transfermarkt, Ederson has yet to experience Premier League football, which carries an inherent risk for players transitioning from Serie A to England — as Joshua Zirkzee’s adaptation challenges have shown. In contrast, Santos has already played 47 games for Chelsea and 45 for Strasbourg in Ligue 1, a league known for its physicality compared to the Italian top flight.

Although Ederson has more overall experience, that is largely due to his age. By the end of his four-year deal at United, he will be 31, offering little resale value on a £39 million investment. Santos, in the same timeframe, would be reaching his prime years, giving United both sporting and financial upside.

Financially, the amortisation structure means the two deals are nearly identical in yearly cost. A £39 million fee spread across four years equals £9.75 million per year, while a £50 million five-year deal works out to £10 million annually. In short, both players would cost the club roughly the same each season.

Despite this, it is unlikely United will abandon their pursuit of Ederson. Reports suggest alignment between the recruitment team and coaching staff, with Michael Carrick endorsing the move. Furthermore, United maintain a strong working relationship with Atalanta, one they are reluctant to jeopardise.

Nevertheless, football is ultimately a business where rational decision-making must outweigh sentiment. From a footballing and financial perspective, Santos represents the smarter acquisition — a younger, more technically gifted player who fits the long-term vision. The pragmatic route would be to pivot toward him, even if it means walking away from negotiations at the final stage.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has built his career on decisive and often ruthless business calls in the petrochemical industry. Now is the time to apply that same INEOS philosophy to football. Andrey Santos should be the man in red — not Ederson.