City’s £50m‑linked Santos enquiry emerges amid Maresca compensation talks

In June, Manchester City made a £50 million‑linked enquiry about Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos while negotiating Enzo Maresca’s compensation with Chelsea, the London club, as the Etihad Stadium bosses weighed midfield options, but ultimately they did not progress the interest before Manchester United secured the player.

Manchester City’s interest in Santos surfaced during the compensation talks with Chelsea over Enzo Maresca’s move to the Etihad Stadium, according to a new report. The club’s directors decided not to advance the enquiry, leaving the Brazil international on Chelsea’s shortlist.

The compensation dispute, which dominated much of June, was ultimately settled through a confidential financial agreement, extending beyond purely managerial matters to include at least one player‑related conversation. That development adds a striking new dimension to the saga.

Andrey Santos was among the most sought‑after midfielders available from Chelsea this summer, with Manchester United, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all reported to have shown interest before United wrapped up a deal worth around £50 million. The Brazilian’s profile appealed to several Premier League clubs.

Enzo Maresca had worked with Santos during his time at Stamford Bridge, and the manager was understood to be open to a reunion, giving the enquiry a personal logic beyond City’s broader midfield recruitment priorities.

Director of football Hugo Viana has overseen one of the most significant rebuilds in Manchester City’s recent history, with midfield activity heightened after key departures and the arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest as the headline addition.

According to Graeme Bailey of TEAMtalk, Santos’ name was raised during the City‑Chelsea compensation discussions, with City exploring any possibility of a deal and Maresca open to reuniting with the Brazilian. The report notes the connection Maresca forged with the player at Chelsea.

Ultimately City decided not to progress its interest, clearing the path for United to accelerate its pursuit and secure Santos’ signature. Future talks may involve other targets such as Malo Gusto, but the Santos episode confirms the clubs have been speaking more than public statements suggest.