Liverpool have reportedly been named as potential summer suitor for Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes, amid a financial crisis at Sporting Lisbon.
According to Portuguese outlet Correio de Manha, Bruno Fernandes is the subject of interest from Liverpool, who are interested in signing him in the summer transfer window. Sporting Lisbon could be forced to cash in on the in-form 24-year-old midfielder, amid lingering financial issues at the club.
Sporting Lisbon have found themselves in all sorts of trouble over the last twelve months or so. Last summer, an attack by fans at the club’s training ground saw several players terminate their contracts, with several high profile exits leaving the Portuguese giants bereft of genuine first-team stars.
Amid all this, Bruno Ferndandes, who ended up staying put at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, was bestowed the club captaincy, and he has taken to the added responsibility with aplomb. In 38 appearances across all competitions, the Portuguese midfielder has a stellar tally of 21 goals and 11 assists, making him one of the most prolific players in Europe.
But, his exploits seem to have caught the attention of Premier League heavyweights, Liverpool, who are keen on snapping him up in the summer transfer window. The Reds were even linked with Fernandes last summer, when news of the terminated contracts at Sporting broke through, before a move failed to materialize.
But, the renewal of interest in the 24-year-old midfielder does make sense. The Liverpool attack has been in decent nick this season, with Mohamed Salah once again being among the top scorers in the Premier League.
But beyond the regular quartet of Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Xherdan Shaqiri, Jurgen Klopp does not have many options in way of reliable customers. That makes for a risky proposition, especially, with the Liverpool manager making use of the 4-2-3-1 formation quite a few times this term.
While Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is due to return to action soon after a long-term injury, could add to Klopp’s options, a prolific signing in Bruno Fernandes could help a great deal, especially with Liverpool’s midfielders not contributing with goals on a consistent basis in the current campaign.
And, if the report is anything to go by, Liverpool will fancy their chances of snapping him up, as Sporting a ready to cash in on their prized asset amid financial issues at the club. But, the player’s €100 million release clause poses a problem, although the Portuguese heavyweights are open to negotiating a deal.
It now remains to be seen if Liverpool and Sporting Lisbon can reach an agreement over a transfer fee for Bruno Fernandes, who could be on his way out of the Jose Alvalade Stadium in the summer.
