Five gamers Man Utd may signal as Bruno Fernandes substitute with Real Madrid circling
Manchester United could be in the market for a new No.10 this summer, with Real Madrid circling around Bruno Fernandes as the Red Devils struggle to tie him down to a new contract
Manchester United might need to start thinking about a succession plan with Real Madrid are considering a whopping £90million offer for Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese maestro, 30, has been the backbone of the Red Devils this season, single-handedly steering them into the Europa League quarter-finals.
Despite United’s worst-ever Premier League campaign under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, Fernandes has still managed to bag 16 goals across all competitions this season, along with 13 assists.
The fallen giants currently sit in an unimpressive 13th place in the league table and without Fernandes, United’s position could be even more dire, and there might be worries for the next season if the club decides to let him go to Madrid.
United’s financial woes have been widely reported, with 200 job cuts made earlier this year, free lunches in the canteen axed, and matchday ticket prices hiked up.
The club might be tempted to pocket the cash, which would allow them to pump money into other areas of the squad – but they’d need to make sure they secure a top-notch replacement for Fernandes.
Mikkel Damsgaard
If United are on the hunt for a quality playmaker who can take on the No.10 role like Fernandes, and is already familiar with the Premier League, then Brentford’s underrated gem Mikkel Damsgaard could be just the ticket.
The 24-year-old Danish international is making waves in the Premier League this season with his stunning creative prowess, reports the Mirror.
He’s currently clocked up ten assists, putting him neck and neck with Fulham’s Antonee Robinson and Arsenal‘s Bukayo Saka.
Damsgaard has been the driving force behind Brentford’s campaign this season, though his performances may have slipped under the radar. He’s actually chalked up one more assist than Fernandes in the Premier League.
Eberechi Eze
The Crystal Palace ace has had another standout season, topped off with his first goal for England against Latvia during the recent international break.
The 26-year-old has long been on the radar of top-flight clubs, and after netting four goals and serving up nine assists, he might be primed for a career leap.
With just two years left on his contract at Selhurst Park come summer, Palace might be swayed by a hefty offer in a bid to bag the maximum transfer fee for a player they shelled out £17m for from QPR in 2020.
Rumours suggest Eze has a whopping £68m release clause. While he could be deployed in various positions, like on the wing, there might be doubts over splashing such a hefty sum considering past transfer duds like Antony and Rasmus Hojlund.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Another Premier League maestro who’s been smashing it this season and would likely fit right into the Old Trafford scene is Morgan Gibbs-White. He has been a standout player in Forest’s sensational season that sees them tipped as dark horses for a surprise Champions League spot.
Currently sitting third in the Premier League table, just four points shy of second-placed Arsenal, Forest have had Gibbs-White at the heart of their stunning performances.
The ex-Wolves ace has netted five goals and set up seven more in the top flight, contributing to a goal in each of his last two league matches. After joining for a record-breaking £25m in 2022, Gibbs-White is a prized asset at the City Ground.
The Forest bosses would be reluctant to let go of their star man unless they’re offered a hefty sum – especially as they’re poised to compete in the Champions League next season.
Oscar Gloukh
The Israeli attacking maestro might not ring a bell for every United supporter, but he’s gradually turning heads across Europe following some standout performances for Red Bull Salzburg in Austria’s premier league.
Glouk, 20, has netted an impressive 10 goals in just 20 outings for Salzburg this season.
He’s also comfortable on the wing and there have been murmurs from the Manchester Evening News that United have earmarked Glouk as a potential replacement for Fernandes earlier this season.
The report suggested United were prepping for life after Fernandes well before Madrid entered the picture, and Glouk was viewed as a player brimming with potential – with other Premier League clubs also hot on his heels.
Xavi Simons
Man Utd are no strangers to Dutch prodigy Xavi Simons.
Simons, who can play across the midfield, only signed with the club in January for a cool £40m. Yet, there’s buzz that Simons might be on the move again come summer.
German journalist Christian Falk dropped a bombshell calling it “surprising” that Simons went full-time with Leipzig after just a loan spell last season.
He’s banged in 18 goals across 68 games for Leipzig, and this season alone he’s bagged seven goals and five assists. Falk’s reporting it’s “likely” Leipzig will flog Simons this summer, and they could rake in as much as £66m for him.
He’s tipped United as frontrunners in the hunt for Simons, with Liverpool and Manchester City also lurking – and Leipzig wouldn’t mind pocketing a tidy profit if he does head out.
