Manchester United are reportedly considering making a move for Athletic Bilbao attacker Oihan Sancet during this summer’s transfer window amid the speculation surrounding Bruno Fernandes‘ future.
The Red Devils are fighting hard to keep Fernandes amid lucrative interest from the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Hilal thought to be determined to sign the Portugal international at the end of the season.
Fernandes has been an outstanding performer for the Red Devils this term, scoring 19 goals and registering 19 assists in 54 appearances in all competitions, and he will be bidding to help his side win the Europa League final next week.
Al-Hilal have allegedly given the 30-year-old one week to make a final decision on his future, with the club willing to make him one of the highest-paid sportsman in world football with a switch to Saudi Arabia.
According to Fichajes, Man United are currently looking at the market for possible replacements, and Sancet has emerged as a genuine option for the 20-time English champions due to his outstanding form this term.
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Man United ‘weighing up summer move’ for Sancet
Sancet was absent for both legs of Athletic’s Europa League semi-final with Man United through injury, and the 25-year-old proved to be a huge miss for a team that lost 7-1 on aggregate.
The Spaniard has scored 17 times and registered three assists in 33 appearances for Enresto Valverde’s side during the 2024-25 campaign, including 15 goals and one assist in 26 La Liga matches.
In total, the attacker has represented Athletic on 190 occasions, scoring 42 goals and registering 18 assists, while he has a contract at San Mames until June 2032, penning a long-term deal in April 2023.
Athletic would struggle to keep hold of him if a club of Man United’s size made an approach, though, and his versatility is believed to have made him an even more attractive proposition for the Red Devils.
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How much would Sancet cost?
The release clause in Sancet’s Athletic contract is believed to be €80m (£67.5m), and Athletic could well point to that figure if interested clubs approach them during the summer transfer window.
Man United could allegedly receive in excess of £100m by selling Fernandes, and the club would be left with a very difficult decision if a record-breaking offer for their captain were to arrive.
Sancet has been outstanding this season, and while he lacks experience in the Champions League, the Spaniard showed his class in the 2024-25 Europa League during his team’s run to the semi-finals of the competition.
