Bruno Fernandes: Pogba transfer talk moving long-running Man Utd saga closer to reality?

Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes has agreed personal terms with Manchester United ahead of a possible January transfer, according to reports.

The Portugal international has been in red-hot form for Sporting over the past few years and this season alone, he’s managed eight goals and seven assists in 15 league appearances.

Man Utd ‘transfer target’ Bruno Fernandes the star of the January window? Five things to know…

• Fernandes, 25, was linked with Man Utd in the summer as well as Spurs but no deal transpired.
• Since then, the 25-year-old has notched 13 goals and 10 assists across 20 Europa League and Liga NOS appearances.
• United have agreed personal terms with the £68m-rated Fernandes, according to the Telegraph.
• It is also claimed United hope to complete a deal worth £50m while Sporting are interested in taking Rojo or another player as part of the deal.
• Across several transfer windows, Fernandes has become a household name among UK audiences, something reflected by a sharp increase in his £4.67 value on Football Index.

Fernandes scored twice in Sporting’s 3-1 Liga NOS win at Setubal last time out and speaking after that match, manager Silas admitted he is looking into potential replacements for his star man.

“I can’t guarantee any of these things because I don’t know. Bruno is a huge player and all players like him have a lot of market,” he said. “I don’t like to think about it, but I’ll be thinking of alternatives in case Bruno leaves.

“I hope it doesn’t happen, but we have to start thinking that.”

#SquawkaScout: Bruno Fernandes 🔎pic.twitter.com/M2gVmDjhn0

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 10, 2020

Although multiple reports claim talks are ongoing to bring Fernandes to United, former Sporting captain Carlos Xavier explained on Portugal’s Rádio Renascença why he believes no transfer will take place till after Friday’s game against league-leaders and local rivals Benfica.

Paul Pogba transfer talk increasing Man Utd’s need of Fernandes?

Paul Pogba has been United’s main creative outlet over the past couple of seasons but the Frenchman has been struggling for fitness this term, starting just five Premier League games.

Furthermore, Pogba has been involved in a long-running transfer saga with Real Madrid, managed by compatriot Zinedine Zidane, and according to Sky Sports in Germany, the midfielder will leave Old Trafford in the summer. Elsewhere, Pogba’s former club, Juventus, also thought to hold an interest.

Given that Pogba has managed two assists in just 521 minutes of Premier League football this season, the gap left in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s midfield by his departure would clearly be a huge one. This puts even more pressure on the Red Devils to cover their bases and a January move for Fernandes would absolutely be seen as a proactive more, rather than reacting to a transfer disaster.