Chelsea star Cole Palmer has issued a six-word message to Andrey Santos after the Brazilian's £50 million transfer from Chelsea to Manchester United was confirmed on Monday. Palmer replied to United's Instagram post announcing the deal, writing: "What a player! Good luck bro [red heart emoji]."
Transfer details and background
Manchester United identified Santos as a concrete midfield target earlier this month and moved swiftly to wrap up a deal worth £48 million plus £2 million in add-ons. Strengthening in midfield is a priority for manager Michael Carrick and Co. this summer, with numerous names linked. Santos was actually of interest to those at Old Trafford even prior to joining Chelsea in January 2023, and three-and-a-half years later, United have secured his signature.
As a boyhood United supporter, Palmer has been linked with a move back to the north of England, though those rumours have quietened over the last few months with United's priority being midfield after several attacking additions 12 months ago.
Other reactions and transfer moves
Further down in the Instagram post, Harry Maguire and JJ Gabriel were two United stars that responded to Santos' arrival being confirmed, while Tottenham's Richarlison also sent a message to his international team-mate. His fellow Brazilian Ederson also looked set to join, but his impending move from Atalanta was called off at the eleventh hour because of a knee issue suffered last season. Despite that, United remain open to signing the 27-year-old in a restructured deal, a situation that could be revisited later in the summer.
United have swiftly responded to losing that signing with a deal agreed for Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans. The 29-year-old had a £35 million release clause in his contract, and that has been activated with personal terms agreed and a medical booked. Tielemans missed Belgium's final game at the World Cup due to a hamstring injury, with his nation going on to be knocked out by Spain at the quarter-final stage. His current issue does not look to be serious, but he does not have the best fitness record over the last few seasons, with 13 games missed in the 2025/26 campaign because of two separate problems.
United are therefore expected to bring in another midfielder ahead of the new season, with France and Roma star Manu Kone the latest player to reportedly emerge as a target.
