Manchester United have been on the lookout for a midfielder and have been linked to several players over the course of the transfer window. With the futures of a few midfielders uncertain and with the departure of Herrera and Fellaini, it is but obvious that the Red Devils need reinforcements in the middle. They have shown interest for a long time now in Sporting CP’s Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese has attracted Manchester United but they may just miss out on the opportunity to sign the player this summer.
Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha report that the Manchester United board is not convinced about the 24-year-old Portuguese midfielder and would not be willing to meet Sporting CP’s asking price of £70 million for Fernandes. The Man Utd board is not willing to shell out more than £50 million for a player who doesn’t regularly feature in the Champions League.
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Bruno Fernandes was a key figure for Sporting CP, helping the secure the third spot in the Primeira Liga scoring 20 goals and assisting 13 in 33 appearances. The Portuguese enjoyed a fabulous campaign last season bagging 32 goals in all competitions and this saw him earn a place in the National squad for Portugal where he helped the team to the UEFA Nations League title.
This has led to United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer see him as an ideal fit for his squad and take top spot in his bucket list for the summer transfer window. However, the Norwegian would be disappointed to see that the club’s board would not be willing to shell out the extra £20 million to sign a player who can add a different dynamic to the squad and strengthen it.
United could have money at their disposal if Paul Pogba left the club but again United’s demand of £180 million for the player may put off other clubs for trying to sign the player however Real Madrid still seem to be in the race to secure the Frenchman.
Assuming Pogba left for Madrid, it may still be too late for Manchester United to sign Fernandes who has also attracted interest from rivals Tottenham. United have already spent £65 million on Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and a deal of around £80 million seems to be on the table for Leicester’s Harry Maguire. This means that the club may have to tread carefully before signing further players and the only solution to have more disposable money would be to sell.
Will the clubs board change its mind and submit an improved offer for Fernandes or will they wait to see how the situation with Pogba progresses?