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Fernandes has a huge offer to leave Old Trafford (Picture: Getty Images)
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.
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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.
SL Benfica v Sporting CP - Portuguese Cup 2024/2025 - Final
Pedro Goncalves on United’s radar (Picture: Getty Images)
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.
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Fernandes currently weighing up his future (Picture: Getty Images)
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.
‘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.’
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