Manchester United have agreed personal terms with Sporting Lisbon star Bruno Fernandes, according to ESPN sources.
The move now hinges on the two clubs coming to a deal for the Portuguese midfielder, who has been a prime target of the Red Devils since last campaign. Sporting reportedly want €80 million for the 25-year-old playmaker, while the Premier League giants are looking to pay a fee closer to €60 million, ESPN reports.
Fernandes came close to joining Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side last summer when he was a target for several top clubs, including Real Madrid and Tottenham. But in the end, United and Sporting were unable to reach agreement.
However, considering the stark midfield weaknesses that have emerged this season for United, particularly in the absence of Paul Pogba (who could be on his way out this summer), the Old Trafford board may be much more determined to get a deal done this time around and have 15 days to close the deal before the end of the January transfer window.
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Fernandes is seen as the ideal acquisition to address United’s midfield issues, not to mention the fact that he potentially can bring much-needed goals to a side that has depended heavily on the goal-scoring prowess of Marcus Rashford this campaign.
The talented Portugal international scored 20 goals and provided 13 assists in the Primeira Liga in 2018-19.
This term, he has so far netted eight goals and given seven assists in 15 league appearances — translating to an average goal participation rate of one per match.
Sporting reportedly want Fernandes to hang on to play his last game versus arch rivals Benfica on Friday, after which he could be in the stands at Anfield to watch Liverpool host the Red Devils on Sunday.
