£25m Man Utd target receives FIFA clearance to play alongside Bruno Fernandes on international stage

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United may have missed out on Geovany Quenda, but Ruben Amorim could still raid the Portuguese market for a new wide man.

We had all become quite excited about the prospect of Manchester United signing their very own Bukayo Saka.

Ruben Amorim was very keen on Geovany Quenda, having overseen the teenager’s rise to prominence at Sporting.

Quenda had been likened to Saka as a young, right-sided winger or wing back who possesses a great left foot.

The connection to Amorim resulted in strong reunion rumours, with rumours suggesting United had agreed personal terms for Quenda to join.

In the end, Quenda signed for Chelsea ahead of the summer transfer window, leaving United to look elsewhere for wide options.

• READ MORE: Man Utd told asking price for Victor Osimhen this summer, it could be bargain of the year

Manchester United target Roger Fernandes given FIFA clearance

United had already identified Roger Fernandes as an alternative to Quenda, having been impressed with the Braga talent.

Reports in Portugal suggest that United view Fernandes as an ‘immense talent’ and are battling a number of Premier League rivals for his signature.

Fernandes was named Young Player of the Month in Portugal’s top flight for February but is currently out injured.

The Braga ace has been at the centre of an international tug-of-war just as United ramp up that interest for the summer.

Fernandes was born in Guinea-Bissau, which gained independence from Portugal in the 1970’s.

Fernandes and his family moved to Portugal at a young age, though, and Guinea-Bissau attempted to call him up for senior international duty in 2022, aged just 16.

As noted by Sapo Desporto, FIFA have now given Fernandes permission to represent Portugal on the international stage.

Fernandes’ naturalisation process has been completed, and the path is now clear for the wide man to play for Portugal rather than Guinea-Bissau.

This means that Fernandes has a chance to play alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes in the Portuguese national team.

Portugal are next in action in June, and whilst a rapid call-up for Fernandes would be a bold step, Dalot and United skipper Fernandes may well be in the teenager’s ear, urging him to move to Old Trafford in the near future.

• READ MORE: Man Utd want to sign record-breaking talent this summer for £37m, he would be a ‘gift’ for Ruben Amorim

Roger Fernandes could be cheaper than Geovany Quenda

United missing out on Quenda was a blow, but we can understand looking at Fernandes as an alternative.

Braga have deployed Fernandes as a wing back on a number of occasions this season, both on the left and right flanks.

Fernandes is young and raw, but is also a natural left-footer, just like Quenda.

Crucially, the Braga talent would likely come cheaper than Quenda, with reports suggesting that Braga want around £25million for Fernandes.

Quenda will join Chelsea for around £40million, and with United’s budget restraints this summer, moving for the cheaper Fernandes may actually allow Amorim to bolster other areas whilst still developing a young wing back.