Manchester United are reportedly following 18-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger Joelson Fernandes, who has a release clause worth €60 million.
According to a report from the print edition of Portuguese publication Record, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United are interested in Sporting CP youngster Joelson Fernandes and are ‘not deterred’ by the teenager’s €60 million release clause.
A product of the Sporting youth academy, Fernandes has risen through the ranks at a rapid rate, impressing across the age-group levels and making a case for a first-team berth with his performances for the Under-23 side for whom he has ten goals and two assists in 44 games. The 18-year-old has made his senior debut in 2019/20 but featured just four times while he was not used by manager Ruben Amorim last term.
Heading into the new campaign, though, Joelson Fernandes finds himself involved with the first-team roster in the pre-season. And, the youngster’s quick rise and massive potential have seemingly alerted several clubs across Europe, including Manchester United.
The Red Devils have focused their recruitment policy to be more youth-centric under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and have already made a brilliant transfer business this summer with the signing of Jadon Sancho. The England international will add to a plethora of attacking talent already at the manager’s disposal like Amad Diallo, Facundo Pellistri, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Daniel James and Anthony Martial.
But with James being linked with an exit this summer and Pellistri likely to head out on loan, there could be room for another wide player to join in. And Fernandes, to that end, could be an option that Manchester United consider as an option for the present as well as the long-term future.
To that end, Manchester United are said to be closely following the progression of the 18-year-old, even though he carries a massive release clause worth €60 million. Apart from the Red Devils, the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona and Juventus are all said to be keeping an eye out on the youngster, although it is Manchester United who seem to have the strongest interest.
Any move in the current transfer window would be unlikely, though, considering the money that Manchester United have splashed on Sancho already while they are also said to be closing in on the signing of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid.
