Chelsea and Manchester United are among an array of clubs chasing CSKA Moscow star Mario Fernandes, who is also on the radar of Barcelona.
Reputed Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has reported that a lot of clubs are showing interest in Mario Fernandes. The CSKA Moscow defender is reportedly ready to take the next step in his career and is being tailed by the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
Balague has added that the Russian international will be available for just €25 million, labelling the defender as a potential bargain deal for any club that is able to sign the player over from CSKA Moscow in the summer transfer window.
Mario Fernandes has always been a top-rated prospect since his move to CSKA Moscow from Gremio in the summer of 2012. Despite the interest and his performances for the Russian giants, he has never made a move across Europe to one of the top five leagues.
But, having accumulated 178 appearances for CSKA Moscow over the period of 7 years, the 28-year-old is now looking to move up in the proverbial ladder in the footballing world. There is no dearth of interest either, with Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea among the clubs interested in the Russian international.
Chelsea might have a transfer ban to contend against, with the Blues set to appeal to Court of Arbitration for Sports to freeze the ban and allow them to sign players in the summer transfer window. Should it happen, right-back is one of the areas that need reinforcements, with Davide Zappacosta not impressing enough and Cesar Azpilicueta not able to contribute as much to the attacking side of things.
Manchester United have had a problem at right-back forever. Antonio Valencia has done well to mitigate it for years. But, the veteran is set to leave the club when his contract expires in a few weeks, leaving just Diogo Dalot and Ashley Young as options at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s behest for the new season.
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. But, latest reports say that United will not pursue the player if Crystal Palace maintain their heightened £60 million valuation of the youngster, which means they will have to look elsewhere.
Barcelona are reportedly looking to move Nelson Semedo off the books. The Portuguese was brought in to solve the crisis at right-back. But, Semedo has been unable to dethrone makeshift right-back Sergi Roberto and establish himself as a regular feature in the starting eleven.
Mario Fernandes is an experienced head and will add quality to whichever squad he ends up being a part of. The Russian international will definitely have clubs coming in with bids, if Balague’s report of his €25 million valuation is true. It will be up to Mario Fernandes to choose which league he ends up plying his trade in for the 2019-20 campaign and beyond.
