United launch late bid to add striker to £47m Fernandes
Solskjaer needs forward after Rashford’s injury Portuguese set to make his debut against Wolves
Manchester United are scrambling to sign a striker to answer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s SOS before tonight’s transfer deadline after completing a deal for Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon.
United announced yesterday that Fernandes had signed a 5½year contract, with the option of a further 12 months, after passing a medical in a deal that could potentially rise to £67.7million.
But Solskjaer is pushing United’s hierarchy to deliver a striker on loan or permanently before the window closes at 11pm tonight after losing his top goalscorer, Marcus Rashford, for months with a double stress fracture in his back.
Tottenham and Chelsea are also on the urgent lookout for a striker after injuries to Harry Kane and Tammy Abraham respectively.
Solskjaer is worried about his side’s lack of firepower and made no secret of their need for more goals in a public call for attacking reinforcements after the 1-0 win over Manchester City in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal on Wednesday, but time is running out.
Anthony Martial has just two goals in eight matches since the turn of the year and Solskjaer’s only other recognised available striker is 18-year-old Mason Greenwood. Rashford’s injury has compounded the disappointment of being snubbed this month by Norway striker Erling Haaland, who opted to join Borussia Dortmund instead.
United have been offered a host forwards, including former Watford striker Odion Ighalo, Edinson Cavani, of Paris St-germain, and Leicester flop Islam Slimani, who is on loan at Monaco. Atletico Madrid and Chelsea were also interested in Cavani but, as of last night, the Uruguayan’s hopes of a move away from the French champions appeared to be fading.
Ighalo, 30, is with Shanghai Shenhua, but the start of the Chinese Super League season has been delayed by the coronavirus outbreak and he is seeking a return to Europe after leaving Watford in 2017. Olivier Giroud would be available if Chelsea manage to sign a striker such as Napoli’s Dries Mertens.
United have distanced themselves from moves for the former Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon and Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco, who both play for Chinese club Dalian Yifang.
Bournemouth’s 28-year-old forward Joshua King, who was a youngster at Old Trafford when Solskjaer was starting as a coach with United’s reserves 11 years ago, was another target. According to an Old Trafford source, King was a deal “we thought we could get done but was met with resistance from Bournemouth”.
Fernandes has at least provided Solskjaer with much-needed support in midfield and the Portuguese says he will draw inspiration from his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo’s success at Old Trafford. The 25-yearold is in line to make his debut against Wolves at Old Trafford tomorrow and ease United’s midfield crisis. Scott Mctominay and Paul Pogba are injured and Nemanja Matic is suspended for his sendingoff in the Carabao Cup exit to City.
“My love of Manchester United really started when I used to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play and ever since then I have been a big fan of this great club,” Fernandes said. “For me, to now play for United feels incredible, I have worked hard to get to this moment and I can promise the fans that I will give everything for the badge to help bring us more success and trophies.”
Fernandes scored 63 goals and claimed 52 assists in 137 games for Sporting.
“We have been tracking Bruno for many months and everyone here has been tremendously impressed with all his attributes and what he will bring to this team,” Solskjaer said. “Most importantly he is a terrific human being with a great personality and his leadership qualities are clear for all to see.”
United are paying an initial £46.6 million for Fernandes but Sporting stand to earn another £21.1million in add-ons. They will receive £840,000 for every five starts that Fernandes makes for United, up to 25 starts.
They will earn another £4.2million if United qualify once for the Champions League in the next five seasons. A further £4.2million will be payable for each time that Fernandes wins the PFA Player of the Year award or makes the top three in the Ballon d’or.
On a busy day at Old Trafford, Argentine club Estudiantes confirmed United defender Marcos Rojo would be joining them on loan until the end of the season.
Matic’s future was also in doubt but injuries to Mctominay and Pogba led Solskjaer to rule out a sale this month.