Man Utd close to completing three transfer deals – Carrick will be happy

Man Utd Transfer Update: Carrick gets his men as United close on double signing

Man Utd Transfer Update: Manchester United’s summer business is finally moving. After weeks of posturing, the club are on the verge of wrapping up two deals to kickstart Michael Carrick’s squad overhaul before pre-season kicks off. Andrey Santos is heading to Old Trafford from Chelsea, while veteran keeper Karl Darlow is set to join on a free transfer. The Standard reports that both deals are imminent. It is a sharp shift in gear for United, moving swiftly to secure targets after missing out on Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham earlier this month.

The heavy lifting here is the Santos deal. United have shaken hands on a £48m package with Chelsea, which could rise to £50m with performance-related add-ons. The West London club have also protected themselves with a 10 per cent sell-on clause. Santos, now 23, never quite nailed down a permanent starting spot at Stamford Bridge last term, starting just sporadically across his 27 Premier League appearances. One goal and zero assists don’t scream £50m midfielder. But the raw data tells a completely different story.

Why Santos is worth the outlay

Look at the defensive metrics. 37 tackles, 20 interceptions, and an 83rd percentile ranking for tackle volume across the division. He keeps things ticking too, clocking a 90 per cent pass accuracy rate last season. United aren’t just buying a destroyer, though. During his loan spell at Strasbourg the year before, the Brazilian netted 10 goals in 32 Ligue 1 games. Carrick clearly believes he can unlock that attacking potency while using his steel to anchor the midfield. Chelsea wanted the cash, the player wanted guaranteed minutes, and United needed a body after Spurs hijacked their Fernandes move.

Darlow’s arrival is a much simpler bit of business. The 35-year-old Wales international is a free agent after his contract at Leeds expired last month. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the details on 9 July, with the final paperwork expected to be signed immediately. Darlow played 22 times for Leeds last season, taking the number one shirt from Lucas Perri and helping Daniel Farke’s side secure survival with five clean sheets.

He isn’t coming in to start. Senne Lammens is firmly established as United’s first choice after a brilliant debut campaign that saw him make 79 saves and prevent 6.39 expected goals, the best return in the top flight. But with Altay Bayindir heavily linked with a move to Besiktas, United desperately needed reliable cover. Darlow has bags of experience from stints at Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, and Hull.

Read: Manchester United linked with deal for £50m midfielder

Both players should undergo medicals over the next few days. United fly to Helsinki to face Wrexham on 18 July. Carrick wants them on the plane.