Manchester United have reached an agreement with Sporting CP for the signing of Bruno Fernandes, the club have confirmed.
The Red Devils have long been linked with the Portuguese midfielder but no deal materialised up till now, leaving United fans cursing the board.
Rumours of a deal gathered force throughout January and Fernandes looked set to be on his way to Old Trafford last week but, once again, talks reportedly came to a halt as United were put off by the midfielder’s price tag.
Five things to know as Man Utd confirm deal for Fernandes…
- Manchester United opened talks with Sporting to sign Bruno Fernandes earlier in the January transfer window.
- However, it was widely reported the deal was on the verge of collapse due to a disagreement over the transfer fee.
- Sporting’s agent, Jorge Mendes, publicly cast doubt of the move.
- But United have now announced an agreement, subject to Fernandes passing a medical and agreeing personal terms, amid reports the club made a renewed bid worth up to £68m.
- England’s transfer window closes at 11pm on January 31st.
United fans were further incensed when Barcelona’s name was thrown into the hat as a potential destination for Fernandes, but the Red Devils appear to have finally got their man.
A statement released on United’s official website read: “Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Sporting Clube de Portugal for the transfer of Bruno Fernandes.
“The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms.
“A further announcement will be made in due course.”
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Even with the doubts surrounding his future, Fernandes remained a key member of Sporting’s side and captained them in their 1-0 win over Maritimo on Monday – in what will have been his final came for the club.
The 25-year-old spent two-and-a-half years with Sporting after joining from Italian side Sampdoria in 2017, ending a five-year spell outside of his native Portugal.
In 137 appearances for Sporting, Fernandes scored 64 goals and recorded 46 assists, meaning he was directly involved in a goal every 107 minutes.
Fernandes has scored nine top-flight goals from outside the area since the start of the 2017/18 season, several of which were on show in the video montage attached to Sporting’s farewell post on Twitter.
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them".
Obrigado Capitão. Para sempre Leão 🦁 pic.twitter.com/L7JqXs6RbT
— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) January 29, 2020
The only current Premier League midfielder with as many goals from outside the area in this timeframe is Kevin De Bruyne.
Should the deal be completed in time, Fernandes could be in line to make an appearance for United in their Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.