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Manchester United’s long-standing curiosity in Roger Fernandes has ended after Al-Ittihad struck a €30 million deal to signal the S.C. Braga winger, Fabrizio Romano reveals.
The Flying Portuguese
The Purple Devils had been linked with Fernandes earlier this 12 months as a substitute for Geovany Quenda – the Sporting CP wonderkid who rose to prominence in Lisbon below Ruben Amorim.
A deal for Quenda, 18, proved tough to seal with the teen ultimately signing for Chelsea for £44m. however remaining with Sporting on mortgage for the 2025/26 marketing campaign – an possibility United wouldn’t have been keen to match.
Fernandes, 19, provided a less expensive possibility than Quenda with the winger having firmly established himself as one of many trickiest operators in Liga Portugal final season.
A worth of round €25m was mooted to safe the Braga starlet together with his wonderful work fee making him an intriguing prospect for the correct wing-back place at Previous Trafford.
Amorim is believed to be a giant fan of Fernandes with the 40-year-old coach a agency believer in inverted wing-backs with excellent dribbling capabilities and velocity – two of the Fernandes’ finest attributes.
Saudi swoop after United focus elsewhere
United’s curiosity in Fernandes continued over the summer time with scouts dispatched to the U-21 European Championship to trace his performances with Portugal.
Nonetheless, the signing of Bryan Mbeumo, which pushed Amad into the wing-back place, successfully ended a pursuit of the 19-year-old winger, with two superior choices in each areas of United’s right-hand aspect.
A quiet summer time ensued, which ultimately allowed Al-Ittihad to swoop for Fernandes as Romano reveals Braga have accepted a €30m supply from the Saudi Professional League aspect.
🚨🟡⚫️ Roger Fernandes to Al Ittihad, right here we go! Deal in place for payment over €30m as completely revealed.
Ultimate particulars forward of signatures within the subsequent 24h. pic.twitter.com/aKcmnZm9UT
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 3, 2025
Tweet: “Roger Fernandes to Al Ittihad, right here we go! Deal in place for payment over €30m as completely revealed. Ultimate particulars forward of signatures within the subsequent 24h.”
Gamers who make the transition from a European aspect to Saudi Arabia hardly ever final lengthy of their new league lengthy, nonetheless, because the latest return of former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran demonstrates.
It might be no shock to see Fernandes again plying his commerce again in Europe within the close to future. However, for now, United have missed out on a goal firmly admired by their head coach.
Function picture Octavio Passos through Getty Photos
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