Man Utd: Are they over-reliant on Bruno Fernandes?
Bruno Fernandes could help Manchester United beat Liverpool to the signing of a new right-winger on two fronts this summer. That's because the Red Devils are reportedly looking at two of the same wide forwards as Liverpool as both clubs prepare to bolster their attacking options when the transfer window reopens.
It's no secret that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been keen on adding a right-winger to his squad for quite some time.
He has been hot in pursuit of Jadon Sancho but Borussia Dortmund's £108million valuation is yet to be matched.
Sancho was ready to move to Old Trafford last summer but was denied the opportunity by Dortmund chiefs, who refused to cave into the pressure after United's sole bid of £90m.
Now it's understood that United have cooled their interest in Sancho and while he will be reconsidered, other avenues are now being explored.
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If the Premier League champions are prepared to go toe-to-toe with United for either player this summer, Fernandes could give his side the edge given that he knows both players well.
The attacking midfielder played with Raphinha during his time at Sporting before the 24-year-old moved onto Rennes in France in 2019.
But even though Raphinha moved onto pastures new, the pair have remained in almost daily contact having struck up a close bond in Lisbon.
While Goncalves was not at the club during Fernandes' Sporting days, the former has a big future for the Portuguese national team and is also represented by Jorge Mendes.
Man Utd are believed to be targeting Pedro Goncalves of Sporting (Image: GETTY)
Should the opportunity arise to play with Fernandes, it's likely to prove a major pull for the player who is also the subject of interest from Manchester City.
United's transfer plans in attack are likely to hinge on the future of Edinson Cavani.
His father Luis revealed last week in an interview with TyC Sports that his son was keen on returning to South America at the end of the season.
Should that be the case, United are likely to focus their efforts on bringing in a new No 9.
United are stacked with options out wide with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Greenwood, Amad, Daniel James and Facundo Pellistri already at Solskjaer's disposal.