"I was like, 'No, they're lying'" - Fabrizio Romano named Manchester United signing as his most 'special' exclusive transfer story

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano named Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes' move as the most 'special' exclusive transfer story he has covered so far. Romano made the claim in an exclusive interview on the Rising Ballers YouTube channel.

Fernandes moved to Old Trafford from Portuguese giants Sporting CP for a reported fee of €65 million in January 2020. He hit the ground running at his new club, becoming an immediate hit with Red Devils' fans.

Since his arrival at United, the 29-year-old has scored 79 goals and assisted 66 times in 233 appearances across all competitions. His proactive leadership and influence on the squad led to manager Erik ten Hag naming him club captain ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Speaking about his exclusive coverage about the Portuguese's move, Romano said:

"I reported on many special transfers but for me the most special remains Bruno Fernandes joining Manchester United. I was still really new in the international industry, so people were still testing me. When I got the story of Bruno, it was in January, but for the international market, we had many stories coming in from Portugal saying he will join in the summer. I was like, 'No, they're lying. Bruno is not going to Manchester United in the summer.'"

"I started denying the story happening in the summer and Manchester United fans were not happy with me. They wanted Bruno, of course. But when the January window opened, I broke the story of Bruno joining Manchester United with a picture of him on a private jet with his agent. It was a really big message. For me, that moment was like entering the international market with a big story and it was really special," Romano concluded.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes could be allowed to leave amid interest from Saudi Pro League clubs - Reports

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes could be allowed to leave the club amid interest from Saudi Pro League sides Al Nassr and Al Ittihad.

According to reports from TEAMtalk, United's new minority owners, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS, have not put the Portuguese midfielder on the 'sale-exemption list'.

The list reportedly includes goalkeeper Andre Onana and the young trio of Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo (via Manchester Evening News).

Both Al Nassr and Al Ittihad are owned by the same entity, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. Reportedly, they have both explained their projects and the roles that Fernandes would be handed in their respective squads in a meeting that took place a few weeks ago.

After the meeting, the Red Devils skipper had allegedly revealed that he would prefer a move to Al Nassr over Al Ittihad.

The PIF have made Fernandes a priority signing, and are ready to pay huge sums of money for his services. Although there have been no official contacts between the PIF and United, an offer that will be 'difficult to refuse' is being prepared in the background.