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Analysis
- 6 hours ago
Man Utd pick Fernandes replacement as Al-Hilal 'confident' of record deal
Tom Weber
- Updated: 31 May 2025 08:46 CDT
- 4 min read
News
Manchester United have identified Sporting CP attacker Pedro Goncalves as a potential replacement for Bruno Fernandes, according to Portuguese media.
The Red Devils are currently fretting over the future of their captain as Fernandes has decided to engage with Saudi giants Al-Hilal this week. Talks have been ongoing since Monday, and the Portugal international is giving serious thought to a move.
Al-Hilal are offering a life-changing amount of money, and they are prepared to pay whatever it takes to secure his arrival from Man Utd in time for the Club World Cup.
Current ETV
Bruno Fernandes
AM, M (C)
Man Utd
Bruno Fernandes
AM, M (C)
Man Utd
ETV Range
€49.3M - €60.3M
As things stand, the ball is fully in Fernandes' court as Al-Hilal will not make an offer to Man Utd unless they receive the green light from the player that he is willing to join.
When quizzed on the matter, Ruben Amorim came out with some strong quotes expressing his belief that Fernandes will stay at Man Utd, which some have taken as an indication that the 30-year-old is going nowhere.
Al-Hilal confident of Fernandes deal
However, according to The Telegraph, Saudi sources are growing in confidence that they will be able to convince Fernandes to head to the Middle East this summer, especially as Man Utd will be without European football next season.
On the face of it, this doesn't mean anything as Saudi sources said the same about Mohamed Salah, who ended up extending his contract at Liverpool. However, the fact that Fernandes is willing to talk is certainly encouraging from the Saudi point of view.
Man Utd, therefore, need to prepare for a potential future without their best player, and according to A Bola, they view Sporting CP forward Pedro Goncalves as a player capable of filling Fernandes' big shoes.
It is claimed that Man Utd are 'considering making an offer' for Amorim's former protégé, while Sporting CP want to tie him down to a new contract. The Lisbon giants are pointing to his €80 million release clause as a price tag for the 26-year-old.
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