Manchester United are eyeing Sporting attacking midfielder Pedro Goncalves as a potential replacement for £100million Saudi target Bruno Fernandes. The Reds had been keeping tabs on the 26-year-old Portuguese international before Al-Hilal sent shockwaves through Old Trafford by indicating their willingness to shell out a hefty sum for Fernandes. However, if Fernandes decides to accept a three-year contract worth an astonishing £180million, this would provide United with the financial means to meet Sporting's £70m valuation of Goncalves.
His arrival could potentially alleviate the disappointment that Ruben Amorim might feel about losing his captain. Despite Fernandes scoring 19 goals and providing 20 assists in a struggling team this season, at 30 he is four years older than Goncalves. Goncalves operates in a more advanced role than Fernandes after Amorim transformed him into a lethal attacking midfielder who can also play out wide during their time together at Sporting.
The United boss recognised his goalscoring potential during a pre-season training camp in 2020 - and was rewarded with 23 goals and four assists in 32 games as Sporting clinched the Portuguese title for the first time in 19 years.
Goncalves has recently made a comeback from injury after tearing a thigh muscle in Amorim's final game as Sporting coach in November. He had been drawing attention from Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen before his injury.
A potential deal with Sporting for Goncalves is further complicated by the speculation surrounding the Portuguese club's Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Napoli are prepared to compete with Arsenal for the £67million-rated goalscorer, while Amorim also holds the 26-year-old former Brighton, Swansea and Coventry forward in high regard.
Sporting would be hesitant to sell two of their key players who have just helped them retain the title in the same summer.
Amorim has expressed his desire not to lose his captain, but the possibility of using the funds to finance a rebuild has led his Old Trafford superiors to leave the decision to Fernandes. Al-Hilal have set a Friday deadline for Fernandes to respond.
If Fernandes decides to move to the Saudi Pro League, Sporting will profit again after negotiating a 10 per cent cut of any profit United make on the 30-year-old when he left Lisbon for Manchester in a deal initially worth £47m plus add-ons.
This means that the Portuguese club could pocket over £6million if United finalise a deal with Al-Hilal.