With the transfer window now on the horizon, Ian Wright appeared to send a subtle hint to former club Arsenal when talking up the value of Manchester United's star man Bruno Fernandes
Ian Wright has admitted that he would love to have Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes at Arsenal. Fernandes, 30, has been wearing the armband for the Red Devils in a campaign which has been terrible domestically, but still offers the opportunity for European silverware.
While United could still gain qualification for the Champions League by beating Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, Arsenal will have to accept another campaign without a major trophy.
With the season ending soon, attention is turning to the transfer window, where Arsenal are on the verge of signing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with a move for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres also potentially on the cards. However, Wright, who has previously defended Fernandes from a Roy Keane onslaught, would be over the moon to see his former side turn their attention to the Portugal international.
While speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Wright said: "I wish we had Bruno Fernandes. I wish we had Bruno. I would love to have him at Arsenal."
The ex-Gunners striker has repeatedly defended the United skipper when Keane has unleashed him. After Wright's latest defence on the podcast last month, the ex-United skipper said: "Ah Wrighty, I've had enough of that rubbish!
"You watch United every week, we focus more on United. Sit and watch a game with him! People pretend to be closing people down.
"Talent is not enough! You keep going back to talent - Bruno's a talented player, but it's not enough! Who were you in the dressing room with, Tony Adams! Tony Adams was this, Tony Adams was that, because he was a fighter!
"You've got young players who have to look at somebody and go, ‘I like what he does.’ They all can't put the ball in the top of the net from 25 yards, I get that, but you want someone who's going, 'Lads, are you with me? Are you with me?'"
Wright told Keane that comparing modern captains like Fernandes to the likes of Adams is unhelpful, saying: "Maybe he's not that kind of captain, Roy, I'm with you, but what he's doing in respect of... saving you, playing that pass, the goal. If Bruno's not there, United are in the relegation battle.”
Despite Wright's admiration of Fernandes, it's unlikely the Gunners would target a move for him. Arteta already has club captain Martin Odegaard in Fernandes' position, while Declan Rice is being encouraged to maraud forward more often.
Zubimendi's potential arrival would only encourage the aforementioned duo to occupy more forward positions, while Kai Havertz may also be given more opportunities to play behind a striker should the Gunners sign a centre-forward like Gyokeres. Moreover, the chances of United doing business with Arsenal for a player as important as Fernandes are also highly unlikely.
The silky playmaker's deal expires in the summer of 2027, but there appears to be no sign that he is agitating for a move out of Old Trafford. However, reports from the Daily Star at the end of March claimed Real Madrid were interested in the midfielder and were considering a shock £90million move.
If United lose the final in Bilbao on Wednesday, then Fernandes, who has been at the club since January 2020, will have to face up the reality of another season without Champions League football, despite his undoubted quality. While the season has been a poor one for United, he has still contributed 19 goals and 19 assists in all competitions.
The ex-Sporting midfielder's numbers are far superior to Odegaard's, who has struggled to replicate his performances from the 2023/24 campaign. The Norwegian has only managed five goals and 11 assists compared to last year's record of 11 goals and 12 assists.