Cristiano Ronaldo wants Bruno Fernandes to join him at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr this summer.
Manchester United captain Fernandes is the major summer transfer target for Al-Nassr, who are willing to pay whatever it takes - potentially around £80-£90million - to land the Portuguese playmaker.
Ronaldo is understood to have urged his club to move for Fernandes, who held a meeting with United last week to discuss his future and the club's ambitions going forward. Fernandes is said to have sought assurances from new United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his football leadership team about their vision for the club in the coming years.
With two years left on his current deal and the option for an extra 12 months, there is no concern at United over Fernandes, but an acknowledgment that the club must match his ambitions.
United failed to qualify for the Champions League for next season and with the club currently languishing in eighth position in the table, they could miss out on a European place altogether.
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Al-Nassr signed Ronaldo from United in December 2022, after the global superstar engineered his Old Trafford exit in an explosive interview in which he said he did not rate boss Erik ten Hag. The mega-rich Saudi club are looking to strengthen their squad in a number of positions, including attacking midfielder, with Fernandes their first-choice.
Despite having identified him as their No.1 target, sources at Al-Nassr know it will be difficult to lure Fernandes, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon for £68million in 2020, away from Old Trafford.
But the Saudi club are willing to test United's resolve to keep Fernandes with a lucrative offer that they believe would give Ratcliffe and his football leadership team with a decision to make and potentially cash in on him.
Man Utd skipper Fernandes has sought assurances from the club's hierarchy after a disappointing season (Offside via Getty Images)Although United have money to spend this summer, constraints imposed by Profit and Sustainability rules mean players will have to be sold before any significant outlay can be made on new signings.
United are preparing for a major overhaul of their under-performing squad this summer, with as many as 12 first-team stars potentially leaving in a radical shake-up of the playing personnel.
World Cup-winning defender Raphael Varane has already announced he will leave this summer when his contract is up, after three years at United.
Injury-probe striker Anthony Martial is also on his way when his contract expires next month, while Christian Eriksen has a year left on his deal, but has been earmarked for a summer departure.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, one of United's biggest earners on £350,000-a-week, is also set to be sold, with Saudi the 32-year-old's likely destination.
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