Man Utd plotting move for £67m star to replace Bruno Fernandes this summer
Manchester United are weighing up a move for Sporting CP star Pedro Goncalves as a replacement for Bruno Fernandes should he leave Old Trafford this summer.
Fernandes has a staggering offer from Al-Hilal and is giving serious thought to leaving United after his representatives met with officials from the Saudi club this week.
Al-Hilal are prepared to pay up to £100million to land the Portugal international – comfortably the biggest fee United have ever received for a player – and are prepared to treble the £250,00-a-week wages he currently collects in Manchester.
Fernandes played in United's final post-season friendly on Friday – what could be his last appearance for the club.
Ruben Amorim remains confident Fernandes will stay, hopeful the club can find otherwise to raise funds this summer, but reports in Portugal suggest contingencies are already being explored.
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
A Bola claim United are giving strong consideration to a move for Goncalves. The 26-year-old, who was briefly on the books of Wolves, returned to Portugal in 2019 and was a key player under Amorim during his rise at Sporting.
Having typically starred on the left of attack, Goncalves can also operate in midfield. The report suggests United regard him as a possible replacement for Fernandes with the move currently under consideration at Old Trafford.
However, they may also still make an offer even if they hold onto their captain. Amorim is eager to strengthen his attacking options with Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Antony among those expected to leave.
Goncalves has a release clause of €80million (£67m) which Sporting would expect to be met in full. The Portuguese champions are not looking to sell and while they intent to offer him a new contract, Goncalves plans to wait and see what developments emerge in the coming weeks.
Sporting are ready to sell Viktor Gyokeres this month, another player coveted by United, but have no plans to negotiate a lower fee for Goncalves.
Al-Hilal meanwhile want a deal for Fernandes signed, sealed and delivered before their Club World Cup campaign begins in June.
Despite the growing uncertainty over his skipper, Amorim remained defiant on Friday, still believing Fernandes will be leading his side out next season. More Trending
'I don't think so, I don't know for sure,' Amorim said when asked if Friday's friendly was Fernandes' last game. 'Nobody knows but I don't think so.
'I think he is seeing us taking some actions to change all the things and I think he saw that and I think he wants to stay.
'He is saying no to a lot of things but he shows he wants to win. He's really young, he's really good he needs to be in the best league in the world.
'We can find another way to earn money.'
MORE: Man Utd dealt huge blow in pursuit of £50m Liam Delap alternative
MORE: Man Utd still eager to sign Arsenal's £85m target after Liam Delap blow
MORE: Man City ready bid to sign £34m star ahead of Man Utd and Liverpool
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
20 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Arsenal target Rodrygo handed deadline to 'convince everyone' at Real Madrid he deserves his place
Arsenal target Rodrygo has been handed a deadline to convince everyone he belongs at Real Madrid, as per a report. The 24-year-old developed into an integral player for Madrid since joining from Brazilian side Santos for €45million (£37.9m) in 2019. The forward, who has also won 33 caps for Brazil, may have a lower profile than fellow attackers Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr, yet he still has a hugely impressive record at the Bernabeu. Rodrygo has 68 goals and 50 assists in 267 appearances for Los Blancos but after a difficult campaign, reports have linked him with a move away this summer, with Arsenal believed to be one of many Premier League clubs interested. And with speculation rampant, Madrid have told Rodrygo he must prove he can fit into Xabi Alonso 's system at the upcoming Club World Cup, according to Spanish outlet Marca. The revamped 32-team tournament runs through mid-June to mid-July, meaning the Brazilian forward has around seven weeks to get back to his best. Teams are expected to take this year's Club World Cup more serious than ever before, considering the mammoth prize pool at stake. The side that takes the trophy home will receive a windfall of $40m (£30m), while a team winning of their games could see them land up to $125m (£92m). For reference, the winner of the Champions League earns around £120m, while the Premier League champions typically earn between £38m and £40m for finishing first. Sky Sports Germany previously claimed Arsenal are in talks with the 24-year-old over a move and that he is at the top of their list of targets on the wing, although he has also been touted with a move to Man City, Man United and Liverpool. Mikel Arteta was pressed on these links prior to Arsenal's final game of the campaign against Southampton - which saw them win 2-1. 'If you want to win titles, you have to be the best in the market,' Arteta said, as he refused to confirm or deny the links. 'The teams that win have the best players. 'It's a matter of pride. It shows we've brought the club to a level where people expect us to challenge for trophies. 'What is clear with the amount of injuries that we had in the front line is that we need a goal threat and we need firepower'. Rodrygo scored 18 goals and claimed nine assists in the 2023-24 season as Madrid won the treble. But he has failed to follow it up this season, only bagging six times and providing six assists in LaLiga. He has scored just once in his last 22 matches, last netting against Atletico Madrid in March. Rodrygo was not called up for Carlo Ancelotti's inaugural Brazil squad, whom the former Madrid boss now manages.
Daily Mirror
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Fernandes dines with 'Al-Hilal's secret agent' amid Man Utd transfer exit talks
Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes is the subject of huge interest from Al-Hilal and has been out dining with one of their current stars, Joao Cancelo, as he weighs up an offer Bruno Fernandes continues to be linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal and has been spotted dining with Portugal pal Joao Cancelo - who has been dubbed a "secret agent" by fans as he looks to convince the Manchester United star to join him in the Middle East. Al Hilal are willing to make Fernandes one of the best-paid players in the world and will fork out £100m to sign the playmaker. Fernandes' agent Miguel Pinho has been in Riyadh for talks with senior Al Hilal individuals and those in Saudi see it as a positive sign that discussions have been held. United want to retain Fernandes, but Al Hilal believe every player has a price. The Portuguese star will turn 31 in September, but does have a contract until 2027. It has been reported that the Saudi offer will only last for so long and Al-Hilal want an answer within days. Their lucrative bid will be rescinded if they do not hear back soon, putting Fernandes and United on a timer. The United skipper has met with Al-Hilal's full-back Cancelo, formerly of Manchester City, and national team-mate with Fernandes. A snap of them at a group meal in a restaurant has seen speculation soar that a deal could be sorted within days with Cancelo playing his part. The ex-City man was 31 last Tuesday and a birthday cake with candles was presented to him at the restaurant as he celebrated at the weekend. Fernandes was by his side having made the trip back from United's post-season tour of Asia. It would be a huge loss for Ruben Amorim, who has seen his side saved by Fernandes on numerous occasions. But he believes the ex-Sporting Lisbon man wants to remain in England. He said: "Of course I am the manager, the coach, but sometimes it is the decision of the player, but of course I talk with him, I explain things and I just have that feeling. When you talk to someone, you have that feeling if he wants to stay. "Of course in a lot of games this season he was so frustrated, but he knows what we are doing. The feeling that I have every time I speak to him is he wants to continue for sure at Man Utd. But you never know." Al Hilal have also held talks about signing Cristiano Ronaldo, who will become a free agent next month if he doesn't sign a new contract at Al Nassr. He recently claimed his "chapter was over" on social media. The Saudi club expect to have at least one big-name signing and a new head coach - possibly Inter Milan's Simone Inzaghi - when they play in the Club World Cup this month.
Metro
38 minutes ago
- Metro
£18m Chelsea midfielder makes feelings clear after Arsenal transfer approach
Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos insists he 'loves' the Blues and is desperate to make it at Stamford Bridge after emerging as a shock transfer target for Arsenal. The Gunners have reportedly expressed interest in signing Santos following his impressive season at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. Santos, 21, was one of the most influential midfielders in the French top-flight last season, scoring ten goals and providing three assists. Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in Santos, who Chelsea signed back in January 2023. Chelsea spent £18m to poach Santos from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama but the talented midfielder is still yet to make his first-team debut for the Blues. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Santos was sent on loan to Nottingham Forest last season before spending 18 months at Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg. Chelsea are reportedly open to selling Santos – though they value the youngster at a steep £50m – but the player himself says his 'desire' is to become a key player for the Premier League club. Following the conclusion of his loan spell in France, Santos could be included in Chelsea's squad for the upcoming Club World Cup. 'The only conversation I had was that I would play in the Club World Cup for Chelsea and after that we'll see what happens,' Santos told the Daily Mail. 'Everyone knows about my love, my desire to play for Chelsea. I think Enzo Maresca was very sincere with me, and I liked that sincerity. 'Also, when you look someone in the eye, when you're sincere, you build trust with the player. 'So I accepted that and went to Strasbourg to get minutes. And now, God willing, we'll see how it goes at the Club World Cup. I hope everything goes well.' Santos described his early struggles at Chelsea and Nottingham Forest as 'very difficult' and discussed how he turned things around at Strasbourg, also owned by Todd Boehly's BlueCo consortium 'It was a very difficult moment in my career – the beginning at Chelsea, with loans and no games at Forest, especially because I was very young,' he added. 'I was always ready to train, always fit to play, but unfortunately, I didn't get an opportunity there with the coach at Forest. 'But I never stopped working and I was sure that when the opportunity arose, which it did here at Strasbourg, I would be ready. 'I think the period I spent at Forest, learning and adapting, was fundamental for me to arrive here ready, to arrive here more experienced, let's say, despite how young I am. 'And of course, the mindset changes. I came with a staff, I came with a physical trainer, a cook, a nutritionist too. So I think every detail makes a big difference in football. 'The affection from Chelsea fans is something very special as well. Ever since the news broke that I was going to Chelsea, they started sending me a lot of messages. 'Back when I was at Vasco, too. And I had the spell at Nottingham, where I didn't play, but they sent me messages there too, I'd see some posts, they'd tag me on Instagram and Twitter. More Trending 'But I think during this spell at Strasbourg, they watched more. And since I played well, I think they're very anxious to see me playing for Chelsea, just as I'm very anxious to play there.' Chelsea co-owner Boehly appears to be a fan of Santos, recently hailing him as a 'really exciting' player. 'We're going to the Club World Cup so, right now, we're laser-focused on the Club World Cup,' Boehly said. 'We have some players that are joining us for the Club World Cup that weren't on the team. 'Andrey Santos is coming from Strasbourg. We're really excited about him and what we think he can add to the squad.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Manchester United ready to sell second star to Saudi Arabia after Bruno Fernandes MORE: Rio Ferdinand says it 'hurts' that Man Utd were beaten to £29.5m signing by bitter rivals MORE: Liverpool fans fear £37m star is leaving after girlfriend's social media post
