Manchester United target Sporting midfielder as Fernandes replacement | OneFootball

Manchester United will make a move to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Pedro Goncalves if Bruno Fernandes leaves the club this summer.

Al-Hilal are pushing to sign Fernandes and believe an agreement is close with the player after positive talks this week.

Manchester United do not want to sell Fernandes, but there is a belief from the Saudi Pro League side that a transfer can happen if the 30-year-old expresses a desire to leave. Al-Hilal are prepared to bid around £100m for the Portugal international.

Ruben Amorim is set to return to his former side in search of a replacement. Goncalves is a player Amorim knows well having won two league titles under the latter’s management at Sporting.

The 26-year-old was the Primeira Liga’s top scorer as Sporting won a drought-breaking title under Amorim in 2020/21. He has also finished as the Primeira Liga’s leading assist provider on two occasions. Goncalves won a third league title with Sporting this season but endured an injury-hit campaign at The Estádio José Alvalade.

Goncalves has a release clause of €80m (£67.4m) in his contract with the Portuguese champions, though United are hopeful of reaching an agreement for a lesser fee. Portuguese outlet A Bola claim Goncalves is United’s number one target to replace Fernandes.

The three-cap Portugal international previously spent two seasons at Wolves. However, he made just one senior appearance during his time at Molineux.

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