“He sees things no one else does” – Silas fears for Sporting if Man Utd or Barcelona seal January transfer deal

Sporting Libson manager Silas has detailed his concerns the team will “suffer” if Bruno Fernandes is sold this January transfer window. 

The Portuguese playmaker has been a long-term target of Manchester United and looked destined to relocate to Old Trafford this month, but Barcelona have reportedly stolen a march in the pursuit of Sporting’s prized possession.

Barcelona to hijack Man Utd transfer move for Fernandes? Five things to know…

• Man Utd have already held talks with Sporting over a possible move for Fernandes but have thus far been unable to agree a fee.
• Fernandes’ agent, Jorge Mendes, recently cast doubt on his client’s prospective move to Man Utd, saying he ‘doesn’t know’ if he’ll leave Sporting this month.
• It is now being reported in Spain that Barcelona are in talks with Sporting over a possible move for Fernandes.
• The proposed deal would see Fernandes loaned to Valencia until the end of next season as a makeweight to facilitate Rodrigo joining Barca.
• In the Primeira Liga, Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in a shot every 14 minutes (265 shots taken, 231 chances created).

United have been actively pursuing a deal that would bring Fernandes to Old Trafford this month, but a breakthrough in negotiations is yet to materialise.

As such, Barca are now believed to be frontrunners for the 25-year-old’s signature, with reports suggesting he would move to Valencia on loan until the end of next season in order to smooth over Rodrigo’s purported transfer to Catalonia.

Quique Setien is in the market for reinforcements up-top following a knee injury sustained by Luis Suarez earlier this month. The Uruguayan has since gone under the knife but is expected to be out for at least four months.

But, whether Fernandes leaves for United or Barca is neither here nor there for Sporting manager Silas, who has expressed his concern for the Portuguese club if his talisman eventually departs.

“I can’t confirm it [if Fernandes made his last appearance against Maritimo], I would like him to stay,” Silas told reporters.

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“Right now I don’t know if he will stay or not, but I would like to count on him at least until the end of the season.

“Bruno Fernandes is a different player, he sees things that no one sees. Being further back and seeing these movements, the defence begins to decline.

“Any team that had Bruno Fernandes in Portugal would suffer if they lost him. If that happens we will have to look for solutions.”

Fernandes has continued to play a vital role as captain for the Lions throughout this exhausting transfer saga, netting an impressive 14 goals and registering 15 assists across all competitions this campaign.