Saudi Clubs Pursue Fernandes as Barcelona Negotiates for Rashford

Several clubs from the Saudi Pro League are intensifying their interest in acquiring Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United. Meanwhile, Barcelona is attempting to negotiate a lower transfer fee to secure Marcus Rashford permanently following his successful loan spell. These developments highlight the ongoing dynamics of the football transfer market as clubs gear up for future signings.

The Saudi clubs plan to make another push for Fernandes in the summer of 2026, as reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on the “Here We Go” podcast. This effort is expected to occur after the FIFA World Cup, although Fernandes has consistently demonstrated his commitment to Manchester United. The 31-year-old midfielder is also attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain, adding another layer to the transfer speculation surrounding him.

Barcelona’s intentions to make Rashford’s loan permanent are complicated by financial negotiations. The Spanish club hopes to secure the forward for a reduced fee of £26 million, while Manchester United values him closer to £35 million, according to the Daily Star. This situation could lead to a transfer standoff, as Barcelona seeks to capitalize on United’s desire to finalize the deal. Rashford’s performance has been impressive, notably scoring twice in a recent 2-1 Champions League victory against Newcastle United.

As Manchester United navigates these transfer discussions, they are also prioritizing the acquisition of a new goalkeeper in the upcoming summer window. Despite the recent signing of Senne Lammens from Antwerp, the club is exploring options, including Mike Maignan of AC Milan, who is also on Chelsea’s radar. Additionally, Manchester United aims to bolster their midfield, with Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion being considered as a potential upgrade.

In other news, Juventus is eyeing Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as his contract with Al Hilal is set to expire in the summer. The Italian side’s coach, Igor Tudor, is seeking alternatives for Khephren Thuram after a challenging summer transfer period. Juventus has shown interest in Milinkovic-Savic before but has struggled to meet the demands set by Claudio Lotito, the Lazio president.

Tottenham Hotspur is also keeping tabs on Savinho from Manchester City, showing renewed interest as the north London club aims to secure the winger during the January transfer window. Savinho has yet to start a Premier League or Champions League match this season, presenting an opportunity for Tottenham to potentially finalize a deal.

As clubs across Europe assess their strategies, several other notable transfer rumors are circulating. Harry Kane has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave Bayern Munich for £56.7 million next summer, provided he expresses his intention to depart before the winter transfer window closes.

Additionally, former Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford is expected to sign with Getafe as a free agent. There are also discussions surrounding Vinicius Junior and his contract renewal with Real Madrid, as well as interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich in Marc Guehi, whose contract with Crystal Palace is nearing its end.

These ongoing discussions and transfer activities highlight the competitive nature of football at this level, where clubs constantly seek to refine their rosters and enhance their performances on the pitch. The coming months will be crucial as teams look to finalize deals that could shape their futures.