Man Utd switch attentions to £33m star after Chelsea signed their top transfer target
The Red Devils view the winger as an 'immense talent'.
Manchester United are plotting a transfer move for Braga starlet Roger Fernandes after Chelsea scuppered their bid to sign Geovany Quenda.
Patrick Dorgu was the only addition to United’s senior squad in January, with the 20-year-old wing-back arriving from Lecce to become the first signing of Ruben Amorim’s reign.
But INEOS are preparing to break the bank and back their manager with a major squad overhaul when the summer transfer window opens for business.
The Red Devils are eager raise funds to help build a squad capable of competing for major silverware again and as many as ten players could be pushed towards the exit door at the Theatre of Dreams.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony are all expected to move on from United as club bosses scour the market for upgrades out wide to breathe new life into Amorim’s misfiring attack.
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Across the season, the Old Trafford giants have been credited with a strong interest in Sporting wonderkid Quenda, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise in Portuguese football over the last 12 months.
United chiefs even met with Jorge Mendes to discuss a proposed move for Quenda last November, with the super-agent negotiating on behalf of the 17-year-old winger.
But Chelsea quickly jumped to the front of the queue for Quenda before United’s talks were able to advance any further and wrapped up a £42million deal for the Portuguese teenager last week.
United have, therefore, been forced to explore alternative avenues and Braga youngster Fernandes has accelerated towards the top of the club’s transfer shortlist.
According to O Jogo, United are ‘willing to fight’ to sign Fernandes, though Amorim’s side must fend off several other Premier League teams keeping close tabs on the promising attacker.
Manchester City, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton, Brentford and Fulham are also being linked with Fernandes, while Chelsea are said to have made an unsuccessful move for the 19-year-old in January.
It’s claimed United recognise that Fernandes is ‘an immense talent’ and believe the Bissau-Guinean’s profile is similar to that of Quenda.
Fernandes’ current contract – which he signed last summer – runs through to 2028 and includes a €40million (£33m) release clause.
The report states that Fernandes is ‘preparing to open a new chapter’ at the end of the campaign and Braga’s hierarchy are aware that it will be difficult to keep hold of their prized possession.
Fernandes made his senior debut for Braga aged just 15 years, eight months and 12 days in 2021 to become the youngest player in Portuguese Super Cup history.
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