Every team needs a punt or two and Kluivert is one.
The Dutchman started his first game of the season last week and you’d expect him to be a first-choice player moving forward.
I’m backing his form from last season here, where he was FPL gold with 12 goals and six assists – as well as the juicy match-up
He should still be Bournemouth’s penalty taker too.
Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United, £8.9m – Brighton (h)
It’s interesting to see that Fernandes has dropped in price and it’s probably because FPL managers lost faith when he missed his second penalty of the season at Brentford.
But Fernandes doesn’t normally miss those and, had he scored both, he’d be the clear second-highest midfield points scorer this season behind Semenyo.
Ifs and buts, of course, but every weekend he has so many paths to points.
Fernandes has made 22 key passes – five more than any other player – has taken 18 shots, four big chances and missed out on defcon twice by just a point.
Cody Gakpo, Liverpool, £7.5m – Brentford (a)
With Mohamed Salah underperforming, Gakpo is much cheaper and just as effective as a route into the Liverpool attack.
He could have had a hat-trick on Sunday against Manchester United and, if you are a fan of underlying data like me, look at these stats.
Gakpo is top or joint-top among Liverpool players for:
Shots (21)
Shots in the box (15)
Goals (3)
xG (2.86)
Assists (2)
Key passes (17)
Expected assists (1.43)
At some point Liverpool will click, and Gakpo is likely to play a part when they do.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes interests Bayern Munich, Liverpool target Nico Williams and Nico Schlotterbeck, while Barcelona weigh up move for Dusan Vlahovic.
Manchester United would want around £40m to allow their 31-year-old captain, Bruno Fernandes, to leave for another European club, with Bayern Munich heavily linked with a move for the Portugal midfielder. (Teamtalk), external
Liverpool are eyeing a 90m euros (£78m) move for Spain and Athletic Club forward Nico Williams, 23. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external
Liverpool are also expected to make an approach for Borussia Dortmund and Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck, 25, over a summer move. (Sports Illustrated), external
Barcelona are considering a move for Juventus and Serbia forward Dusan Vlahovic, 25, who will be a free agent next summer. (AS – in Spanish), external
Bayern Munich are also said to be a contender for Vlahovic’s signature, with the German giants wary another club could activate a release clause to buy England forward, Harry Kane, 32, from them. (Mirror), external
England international Elliot Anderson, 22, is certain to feature on a long list of summer transfer targets for Newcastle, who are keen to bring the Nottingham Forest midfielder back to the North East. (Mail – subscription required), external
Real Madrid are closely monitoring Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano, 26, with the France international out of contract next summer and prepared to listen to other offers. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external
Real Madrid could send Endrick, 19, out on loan in January, but West Ham are not viewed as a viable destination for the Brazil forward. (Teamtalk), external
Real Madrid are also bracing themselves for offers for forward Gonzalo Garcia in January. The 21-year-old impressed at the Fifa Club World Cup, but has fallen down the pecking order. (Marca – in Spanish), external
Barcelona are watching Hoffenheim and Kosovo forward Fisnik Asllani, 23, who could leave the German club next summer. (Sky Germany), external
Red Bull Salzburg’s 20-year-old midfielder Bobby Clark, who is currently on loan at Championship Derby, is set for a January switch to Scottish Premiership champions Celtic. (Times – subscription required), external
Clubs from Saudi Arabia and Europe are set to test Manchester United’s desire to hold to captain Bruno Fernandes in January, Napoli lead race to sign his team-mate Kobbie Mainoo, while Barcelona and Liverpool are keen on Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano.
Manchester United’s resolve to keep their captain Bruno Fernandes, 31, is set to be tested in January’s transfer window with clubs in the Saudi Pro League and Europe keen on the Portugal midfielder. (Manchester Evening News), external
Barcelona are set to rival Liverpool to sign France defender Dayot Upamecano, 26, when his contract expires at Bayern Munich next summer. (Fichajes in Spanish), external
Arsenal would accept an offer of around £30m for Gabriel Jesus, 28, with Everton a possible destination for the Brazil forward in January. (Teamtalk), external
Newcastle would love to have Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 22, back at the club after selling him 16 months ago. (Mail), external
Manchester City are monitoring the situation of Atletico Madrid and Argentina right-back Nahuel Molina, 27. (Teamtalk), external
Crystal Palace are showing interest in AZ Alkmaar’s midfieldprospect Kees Smit, 19, who has played for the Netherlands at U-19 level and attracted scouts from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United. (Mail), external
Ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag could make a sensational return to management and replace fellow Dutchman Johnny Heitinga at former club Ajax following his brief stint at Bayer Leverkusen. (De Telegraaf via Goal), external
Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa’s preference was always to stay at Anfield this season despite interest in the 27-year-old Italian from clubs in his homeland. (The Athletic – subscription required), external
Crystal Palace want Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada, 29, to extend his stay at Selhurst Park with his contract due to expire next summer. (Sky Sports), external
Bayern Munich are one of the clubs keen on Arsenal’s Dutch defender Jurrien Timber, 24, who has opened talks over a new contract with the Gunners. (Caughtoffside) , external
Incoming Newcastle director of football Ross Wilson will be tasked with reviewing the club’s summer transfer business when he begins the role at St James’ Park. (The I – subscription required), external
Bayern Munich’s German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 39, is considering extending his playing career beyond 2026 and signing a new contract with the Bavarian club. (Bild – in German), external
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Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace): He was excellent in the win over West Ham, not only his goal – which was a wonderful finish – but also his ability to go up and down the pitch for 90 minutes and never stop, never complain. Arguably one of the best one-on-one defenders in the country. Really impressive.
Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth): Both of my centre-backs get in because they are from the only teams who kept clean sheets this week. Senesi is developing into a wonderful player, especially when we look at who Bournemouth sold this summer. There was a lot of talk about their defenders who moved on to Real Madrid, PSG and Liverpool for £150m-odd combined – and then Senesi who was there last season steps up and is a massively important player for them.
Sven Botman (Newcastle): I was at Newcastle’s game against Barcelona and Botman looked frustrated and a bit disenfranchised when he didn’t come on. However, to get a start in the next game, play 90 minutes, and get a clean sheet with the amount of injuries he’s had was a massive show of character. He’s Newcastle’s best centre-half, he just struggles to stay fit.
Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest): Yes he scored but I also think under Ange Postecoglou – with a more attacking style and flair – we’re going to see another level to his game. He had a couple of shots that Dubravka saved. He could be one to keep an eye on going forward.
West Ham have signed midfielder Mateus Fernandes from Southampton in a deal worth more than £40m.
The 21-year-old Portuguese joins on a five-year contract and becomes West Ham’s third-biggest signing, behind Sebastien Haller (£45m) and Lucas Paqueta (£51m).
Fernandes moved to Southampton from Sporting for £15m in 2024, so the Saints have made a substantial profit after one year.
He made 46 appearances for Southampton, scoring four goals and providing seven assists.
“I’m very excited to play for West Ham,” said Fernandes.
“I think it’s a big step for me. It’s a big club, a massive club. The project, the stadium, the city, everything.”
The move should be a boost for under-pressure Hammers manager Graham Potter, whose side have lost their first three matches of the season in all competitions.
They were beaten 3-0 by newly-promoted Sunderland in their first Premier League outing before being thrashed 5-1 by Chelsea, and lost to Wolves in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
West Ham are also close to completing the signing of Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa, 21, for a fee of about £17.3m.
MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing for more ins and outs ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline!
There has been increased confidence that Chelsea will complete a deal for Alejandro Garnacho before Monday’s deadline, according to reports.
Bruno Fernandes is open to leaving the Red Devils at the end of the season after rejecting offers from Saudi Arabia this summer, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo is reportedly open to leaving Old Trafford, with multiple Premier League clubs and Real Madrid interested.
In other news, Real Betis are said to be confident in landing winger Antony on a permanent basis.
And there are reports in Italy that Napoli are open to including a mandatory buy clause into a loan agreement for Rasmus Hojlund, which would be worth around £39million.
Man City hold talks with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Southampton reject West Ham’s offer for Mateus Fernandes and Galatasaray approach Brazil goalkeeper Ederson.
Manchester City have held talks with Paris St-Germain over a deal for Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26, with personal terms not expected to be an issue. (RMC Sport – in French), external
Galatasaray have made an approach for Manchester City’s 31-year-old Brazil goalkeeper Ederson, which would clear the way for Donnarumma to move to Etihad Stadium. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Aston Villa are hoping to re-sign Marco Asensio from ParisSt-Germain following the 29-year-old Spain midfielder’s successful loan spell last season. (Telegraph – subscription required), external
Liverpool have no intention of selling France defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, in this transfer window, despite working on moves for two centre-backs to strengthen their squad. (Mail – subscription required) , external
Bayer Leverkusen are the latest side to express an interest in Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte, with the Seagulls willing to sell the 20-year-old Argentina winger for around £39m. (Kicker – in German), external
Borussia Dortmund have walked away from a deal for Fabio Silva after Wolves increased their asking price for the 23-year-old Portugal forward. (Teamtalk), external
Chelsea’s France forward Christopher Nkunku is keen on a move to Bayern Munich, with a deal for the 27-year-old still possible. (Florian Plettenberg) , external
I think for Man United it’s best to ship [him] out. If I was the manager I’d be a little bit similar to [Ruben] Amorim in the case of I just want team players.
I want a bunch of lads who are good, honest, hard working team players. And I don’t get that vibe from Garnacho, I don’t get that vibe from a few of the players.
You look at the full-time whistle after the Europa League game. You have Brennan Johnson doing an interview.
He looks like he hasn’t had a haircut for about three months, [hair] horrible all over the place, but his interview was incredible.
You could tell he’s a real nice lad, he’s hard working, he does everything for the team. Then you look at Garnacho. Fresh trim a day ago, dyed blonde ready for the final.
The full-time whistle goes, he’s sat on the pitch sulking by himself, not trying to get behind the other lads, picking them up, saying, ‘Well done we got this far’.
“And I think that there is the big contrast. I just want good lads, honest, hard working lads.
“I know he’s not been great, but he’s a 22-year-old kid who has been asked to play centre-forward for Manchester United on his own for the last two years.
“He’s had to play every week. He’s the only one there, and he’s a 22-year-old kid.
“With the way they play, Man United should have at least three top centre-forwards, and I’d bring him into that group.
“Get [Victor] Osimhen and [Viktor] Gyokeres. Hojlund has struggled – like mad of late especially but he’s not had the chance to sit down and watch.
“If a striker is lacking confidence the manager should sit him down and say, ‘Have a look, get a bit of hunger back, a bit of feeling back for the game’.
“We all know he has centre-forward qualities — we’ve seen it. Not enough, I know that. But if he had experience around him.
“Say he had Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke around him, it would bring him on so much. He’s been absolutely flogged to death.
“People forget how young he is. A lot of it is confidence.”
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes confirms he rejected big-money Saudi move to stay at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes has confirmed he rejected a huge offer from Saudi Arabia and chose instead to stay at Manchester United, saying he wanted to “continue to play at the highest level”.
Speaking to media in a Portugal camp ahead of Wednesday’s Nations League semifinal against Germany in Munich, the football midfielder confirmed he received an “exciting offer” from Al-Hilal but wanted to be part of manager Ruben Amorim’s rebuild at Old Trafford.
Reports said Al-Hilal were willing to pay United up to 100 million British pounds ($135m) for the 30-year-old Portugal international.
“The president of Al-Hilal called me and asked me if I wanted to move there,” Fernandes confirmed, saying the club “waited for me to think about my future”.
“I talked to the gaffer and he asked me not to go,” Fernandes revealed, adding: “Man United said they didn’t want to sell me.
“They said if I wanted to go, I could, but they didn’t need the money.”
The player said a transfer would have been “easy” with several Portuguese players already in Saudi Arabia, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, but added: “I want to play at the highest possible level.
“I want to play major competitions. I know I still can, and I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most.
“For better or worse, this is how I see football and I’m passionate about football and this is the decision I’ve made.”
Man United ‘need’ Fernandes
United endured their worst finish of the Premier League era, finishing 15th. They also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.
United captain Fernandes was one of the few players to emerge with credit from a disastrous season, scoring 19 goals and making 19 assists across all competitions.
Former United captain Gary Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, said the development was “significant”.
“I think that there was an element of this situation that meant United getting that level of money, for someone of Bruno’s age, obviously, you couldn’t say that it would have been a bad deal,” he said.
“But, on the other hand, Manchester United’s star player – only player, at times – for the last four, five, six years, has been Bruno Fernandes. He’s so important.”
Neville added: “To turn that money down at a point where Manchester United are at their lowest ebb and say, ‘No, I want to fight through this, I want to see it through the other side, I want to come out and achieve things,’ I think it says a lot about him as a person, as a character.
“The club needs people who are going to run through a brick wall for them.”
United are expected to be busy in the transfer market as Amorim reshapes his under-performing squad.
The club have already signed Brazil forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are being heavily linked with Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.
Departures could include Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.
Fernandes has made 290 appearances and scored 98 goals for United since his 47 million pounds ($63m) move from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.
OH, to be a fly on the wall of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s office when news broke that Bruno Fernandes had snubbed a mega £100million bid from Saudi Arabia.
Manchester United’s part-owner could not have believed his luck when Al-Hilal offered to take captain Fernandes, who turns 31 in September, off their hands and give the Red Devils a much-needed cash injection.
3
Bruno Fernandes snubbed a mega £100million bid from Saudi Arabia
3
Man Utd missed their chance of a major sale like Liverpool with Philippe Coutinho
Ratcliffe, who claimed the “bloated” club was set to go “bust at Christmas”, has led a ruthless cost-cutting drive at Old Trafford — culling 450 staff including the much-loved receptionists and also withdrew free canteen food for workers at the ground.
So to have the potential of receiving a nine-figure sum for a player whose legs are only going to get wearier was almost too good to be true.
Even the offer of tax-free £700,000-a-week wages was not enough to lure the Portuguese star to the Middle East.
Yet Fernandes’ admirable resistance has thrown United’s chaotic transfer plans up in the air once again.
It is back to the drawing board for Ratcliffe and manager Ruben Amorim, who are under pressure to juggle the books with Profit and Sustainability Rules after their failure to qualify for Europe.
Despite Fernandes turning down the Saudi riches, the midfielder could still be a target for European clubs this summer — although the offers are unlikely to be even half the astonishing transfer fee on offer from Al-Hilal.
And even if he stays, Red Devils fans will now be debating where Fernandes fits into Amorim’s rebuild next season?
Amorim is wedded to his 3-4-3 formation and his early transfer activity seems to match up.
Wolves’ Matheus Cunha has signed in a £62.5m deal and Bryan Mbeumo is now a £50m target from Brentford, with the duo expected to play in the attacking positions behind the lone striker.
Bruno Fernandes enjoys dinner with Al-Hilal ‘secret agent’ Joao Cancelo as he faces Man Utd exit decision
Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho, linked with Chelsea and Napoli, are other options for the wide forward roles.
That quartet is likely to see Fernandes move further back to one of the two central midfield berths which he fulfilled in the Europa League final loss to Tottenham.
Amorim has other options in the centre of the park, including Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount.
Casemiro is on big wages, Amorim knows Ugarte well from their time together at Sporting Lisbon and the United boss lavished praise on Mount following his return to fitness towards the end of the season.
While homegrown talent Mainoo, 20, is an intriguing prospect.
So where will Fernandes play on a regular basis? In last season’s disastrous campaign, Amorim relied heavily on talismanic Fernandes to dig his woeful 15th-placed Prem side out of the mire, netting 19 times in all competitions.
Failed Coutinho moment
Fernandes’ quality and consistency led to the eye-watering bid from Saudi and the £100m fee will play on Ratcliffe’s mind in their ‘Mission 21’ operation to knock Liverpool “off their perch” once again.
The Reds went through a similar scenario over seven years ago when they sold star man Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for a staggering £142m.
The transfer fee gave Jurgen Klopp the chance to rebuild as the German used that money to bring in Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, and his new spine delivered the Champions League and Premier League titles.
If Fernandes remains at United then club legend Gary Neville believes Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho must all leave.
Garnacho clashed with Amorim after the Bilbao loss to Tottenham, while the other three have all been out on loan this season.
Neville said: “If players are taking on and questioning the manager in public through social media, the manager has to win.
Neville’s transfer advice
“If the manager doesn’t win, the manager has to leave and I don’t think that’s going to happen this time. That’s happened far too many times before. I think Garnacho will leave purely because of that, I think they’ve had enough.
“Marcus has to leave for him and the club. I think that ship has sailed and he needs to find himself another club.
“It sounds to me like Villa aren’t going to keep him. I would say for Marcus’ and United’s sake that it feels like that path has come to an end.
“I feel a little bit similarly with Jadon as I do with Marcus. I’d be a bit concerned that Chelsea haven’t made the noises that they’re going to keep him. United have to make sure they part ways with him.
“Antony has gone to Spain and having seen a couple of players that I played with not do it Old Trafford but do it in Spain . . . I think he’s suited down to the ground and it’s been proven.”
Ratcliffe may have canned hundreds of local staff but he will soon discover it’s much harder to get rid of superstar players who are tied down to huge contracts.
Star signings Liverpool made after Philippe Coutinho sale
LIVERPOOL sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for an eye-watering £142million back in 2018.
Here’s five of the best players the Reds signed with that massive windfall:
“Manchester United said they didn’t want to sell me,” he said. “They said if I wanted to go I could, but they didn’t need the money. I spoke to coach Ruben Amorim who, throughout that period, he was pushing for me not to go.”
Fernandes said it was an “exciting offer” from Al-Hilal and it would have been “easy” to move to Saudi Arabia, with several Portuguese players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves currently there.
However, he added: “I want to play at the highest possible level.
“I want to play major competitions. I know I still can and I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most.
“For better or worse, this is how I see football and I’m passionate about football and this is the decision I’ve made.”
United are understood to be delighted by the news, which came after boss Amorim expressed his belief on Friday that Fernandes would stay.
There were no direct conversations between United and Al-Hilal, so they were never presented with a bid they could turn down.
However, it was expected the Saudi side were prepared to offer between £80m and £100m to sign him in time for this month’s Fifa Club World Cup.
It is not clear whether Al-Hilal will now pursue new targets.
Fernandes has made 290 appearances and scored 98 goals for the club since his £47m move from Sporting in January 2020.
Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville told Sky Sports he believes the transfer would not have been a poor deal for the Old Trafford club but added: “He’s so important.
“The fact that he wants to stay, the fact that he wants to go through this and come out the other side, because it would have been easy for him at the end of this season to say, ‘Look, I’m done here’, will endear him towards Manchester United fans even more.
“To turn that money down at a point where Manchester United are at their lowest ebb and say, ‘No, I want to fight through this, I want to see it through the other side, I want to come out and achieve things’, I think it says a lot about him as a person, as a character.
“The club needs people who are going to run through a brick wall for them.”
Amorim was adamant in Hong Kong that United could work around Fernandes staying at Old Trafford from a financial point of view.
However, the situation is not straightforward.
With no European football of any sort next season, finances will be tight. Amorim has already said he can operate with a smaller squad given there are fewer matches, so sales are inevitable.
Broadly speaking, there are three categories.
Players Amorim just does not want – so the likes of Sancho, Antony, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
Players who have struggled and it would make sense to sell – Hojlund and Zirkzee fit into this group, as does Casemiro.
Then, the bulk are players who have something to offer and United would be open to keeping but would let go if the right bid came in.
Yet the major issue around all of this is how long would it take to do a deal and how much would it cost?
Take Sancho for example.
It has been established Chelsea would have signed him on reduced terms, which he was not prepared to accept.
If a Premier League club that has just qualified for the Champions League are baulking at Sancho’s wages, it is fair to assume most other clubs will reach the same conclusion.
If Sancho refuses to drop his demands and Amorim wants him out, United will have to negotiate some kind of compromise.
This puts them back in the uncomfortable position of paying a player to play for a rival. It is the kind of situation minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe finds so irritating and wants to end.
Yet, when you take a realistic approach to Sancho, Antony and Rashford in particular, it is hard to see how that situation is avoided. The same could also be said of many United players who remained at the club last season.
The matches may have finished but for United technical director Jason Wilcox and chief negotiator Matt Hargreaves, the hard work is just beginning.
It is how well they do, getting players in and out, that will determine how much progress Amorim can be expected to make.
Manchester United expected to open talks to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Liverpool agree Florian Wirtz contract, but bid rejected by Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea considering move for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo wants to join Manchester United, who are now set to open talks to sign the 25-year-old Cameroon international. (Athletic – subscription required), external
Manchester United are also waiting for a decision from Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes about whether he wants to stay at the club or leave, with Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal interested in the 30-year-old. (Sky Sports), external
Crystal Palace’s French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, 27, is also on Manchester United’s striker shortlist, but they may face competition from Juventus and AC Milan. (Teamtalk), external
Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, is expected to sign a new contract at Arsenal this summer, with the Gunners keen to ward off rumoured interest in the England defender from Real Madrid. (Mail), external
Liverpool have agreed a contract with Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz until 2030, but have yet to agree a fee for the 22-year-old, with Bayer Leverkusen rejecting a 130m euros (£110m) offer from the Reds as they hold out for 150m euros (£127m). (Bild – in German), external
Barcelona have started initial talks with Liverpool wingerLuis Diaz, 28, with interest from Saudi Arabia for the Colombian. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Chelsea are considering a move for Everton and England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, 22, while Tottenham could rival the Blues for his signature this summer. (Teamtalk), external
English midfielder Jobe Bellingham has chosen to join his brother Jude’s former club Borussia Dortmund instead of Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig and the German club will start talks with Sunderland to sign the 19-year-old. (Bild – in German), external
Chelsea are also weighing up a move for Borussia Dortmund’s 20-year-old English winger Jamie Gittens, who could cost about £50m. (Guardian), external
Manchester City are close to agreeing a deal for AC Milan and Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, 26, in time for the Fifa Club World Cup which starts on 14 June in the United States. (Football Italia), external
Everton, Manchester United and West Ham could make a move for Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, with Al-Hilal prepared to offload the 30-year-old. (Talksport), external
Brighton are keeping tabs on the progress of Sheffield United midfielder Ollie Arblaster, 21, as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. (Teamtalk, external)
Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere, 33, is the frontrunner to become the manager of League One Plymouth Argyle. (Sun), external
Pedro Gonçalves played under Ruben Amorim at SportingCredit: Getty
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Bruno Fernandes has been linked with a Saudi switchCredit: PA
United skipper Fernandes has until Friday to tell Al-Hilal if he is up for a move to the Middle East, and the Saudis are ready to pay £100m if they get the thumbs up.
And if Fernandes does take the plunge on a three-year deal, the cash-strapped Reds could afford Goncalves – also known as Pote – with money to spare.
Manager Amorim would still prefer to keep his captain, and insisted he was confident of doing so after United’s post-season trip to Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
But he is equally aware that a salary of more than £1m a WEEK is hugely tempting for Fernandes.
And the Old Trafford money men know they will hit the jackpot by banking such a fee for a man who turns 31 a month into next season.
Goncalves, 26, had two years at Wolves as a teenager, but returned to Portugal without playing a game.
Amorim took him to Lisbon from Famalicao six years ago, transforming him into a more attacking midfielder who can also play wide.
Goncalves, who hit 23 goals as Sporting ended a 19-year title drought in 2021, missed five months of last season with a ruptured thigh muscle.
But he returned in April and scored in the final day victory over Vitoria which clinched the Portuguese championship again.
Goncalves is also on Aston Villa’s wish list, but United believe his relationship with Amorim puts them in pole position.
Ruben Amorim bursts out laughing when asked about Man Utd star’s future
The biggest stumbling block could arise if Arsenal or Napoli can seal an early deal for £67m-rated striker Gyokeres, as Sporting would be unwilling to cash in on two of their star men.
But the Portuguese side will land a £5m-plus jackpot if Fernandes heads to the Middle East, thanks to a clause giving them ten percent of any profit United make on their skipper.
Al-Hilal move for Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City join the race for Rayan Cherki and Leroy Sane could return to the Premier League.
Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have offered a deal for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, 30, and told the Portugal midfielder he has 72 hours to make a decision. (Mail, external)
Manchester City have joined the race to sign Lyon’s 21-year-old Frenchmidfielder Rayan Cherki, who has also been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea. (Telegraph – subscription required, external)
Everton have joined Leeds United in the race to sign 33-year-old Newcastle United and England striker Callum Wilson, who is out of contract next month. (The Sun, external)
Tottenham have been offered the chance to sign 29-year-old Bayern Munich and Germany winger Leroy Sane, who will become a free agent at the end of next month (Sky Sports, external)
Aston Villa look poised to sign Feyenoord’s 18-year-old Dutch striker Zepiqueno Redmond on a free transfer this summer. (Sky Sports, external)
Arsenal have held talks with Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres’ agent in Lisbon and made a £58.7m offer to sign the Sweden international. (Correio da Manha – in Portuguese, external)
Manchester United have agreed the framework of a deal for Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap and are now waiting for the English striker to decide on his next move. (ESPN, external)
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, is expected to leave Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr and sign for a new club to play in the Club World Cup, which kicks off on 15 June in the United States. (Telegraph – subscription required, external)
Al Hilal set to offer £100m for Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United, Florian Wirtz would prefer to join Liverpool over Bayern Munich, while Emiliano Martinez looks set to leave Aston Villa.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will be given a deadline of next week to decide if he wants to leave the club, with Al Hilal set to offer around £100m for the Portugal international, 30, who would earn around £65m a season in Saudi Arabia. (Mail), external
Bayern Munich could launch a blockbuster move for Fernandes although the transfer fee United would want may prove to be a stumbling block. (Teamtalk), external
Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, 20, is increasingly likely to leave Manchester United this summer after becoming disillusioned at his role under head coach Ruben Amorim. (ESPN), external
Garnacho’s representatives are set to hold talks with Manchester United to discuss the Argentine’s future after he was dropped for the Europa League final loss to Tottenham. (Telegraph – subscription required), external
Manchester United also look set to sell England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 20, in a bid to ease financial pressure on the club. (Sun), external
Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, 22, would prefer to move to Liverpool instead of Bayern Munich if he leaves Bayer Leverkusen this summer. (Athletic – subscription required), external
Bayern Munich believe Brighton and Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma, 28, is a viable alternative to Wirtz. (Sky Germany), external
Everton have held talks with Ipswich and England Under-21 forward Liam Delap, 22, over a summer move and are also interested in Liverpool and Scotland winger Ben Doak, 19. (Guardian), external
Real Madrid view Liverpool and Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister as the natural successor to Croatia international Luka Modric, 39, who is leaving the Bernabeu this summer. (Fichajes in Spanish), external
RB Leipzig have been in contact with Arsenal’s newly appointed sporting director Andrea Berta about a potential deal to sell 21-year-old Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko. (Sky Sports Germany – in German), external
Wolves and Brazil forward Matheus Cunha, 25, is still happy to join Manchester United this summer despite their failure to qualify for European football next season. (Sky Sports), external
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 32 is set to leave the club with Saudi Pro League teams and Manchester United interested in the Argentina international. (Teamtalk), external
Aston Villa, West Ham and Leeds are eyeing a move for Southampton andPortugal Under-21 midfielder Matheus Fernandes, 20. (Football Insider), external
