Manchester United could step up their interest in Athletic Club midfielder Oihan Sancet if Bruno Fernandes leaves, as per reports.
Fernandes is inarguably United’s best player. No Red Devil has won possession more times than the United skipper in the Premier League this season. Further, the Portuguese attacking midfielder leads the league in chances created.
As United head into the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, the majority of the United fans can only count on Fernandes to step up and pull a rabbit out of the hat.
However, if Saudi Arabia gets its way, Ruben Amorim will not be able to rely on his saviour from next season. It has been widely reported that Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal are determined to sign Fernandes this summer.
Amid this, FootballTransfers claims United have identified Sancet as their preferred candidate to possibly replace their talisman.
Akin to Fernandes, the Athletic star has an incredible eye for a goal. The midfielder has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season.
The Bilbao outfit greatly missed his goalscoring prowess from midfield against United in the Europa League semi-finals following an injury setback.
It is claimed that Amorim is a “huge admirer” of Sancet, and United are “monitoring him closely.”
The report adds that after internal discussions at Old Trafford, United’s pursuit is likely to “intensify if Fernandes departs this summer or during the 2026 January transfer window.”
The Spain international, who came through the ranks at Athletic, has seven years remaining on his contract at the Basque side, but it includes an €80 million (£67.2m) release clause.
Interestingly, Athletic are keeping an eye on a United academy product.
Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming the La Liga outfit are following Victor Musa.
Feature image Alex Caparros via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Vishal Singh
Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!
