Manchester United have been told by Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas to increase their offer so as to land Portuguese international Bruno Fernandes.
In an interview with Portuguese outlet RTP, Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas has claimed that the club are yet to receive an that is substantial enough to sell Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese outfit want over €62 million to sell their captain, who is the subject of interest from Manchester United.
2018-19 turned out to be a career-defining season for Bruno Fernandes, who started it as the new Sporting Lisbon captain before finishing it as one of the most prolific players in Europe. A fantastic tally of 32 goals and 18 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions has catapulted the 24-year-old into superstardom.
A number of clubs have been subsequently linked with the Portuguese international this summer. But, it is Manchester United who have reportedly been hot on his trails all through the transfer window, as they look to continue their summer overhaul.
The departure of Ander Herrera has left Manchester United shortchanged. Add to it the fact that Andreas Pereira is yet to fully convince while Fred is coming off a mediocre debut campaign at Old Trafford, and it is understandable why the Premier League heavyweights are after Fernandes.
But, the Portuguese international could fit in the Manchester United first-team setup in a different manner too. On the basis of early evidence from the pre-season campaign, it looks like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be set to prefer the 4-2-3-1 formation. And, if signed, the Sporting Lisbon captain could be an upgrade over current options Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata.
Manchester United though, are falling short of the Portuguese club’s valuation of the player. Sporting president Frederico Varandas has claimed that the club are yet to receive a sufficient bid to convince them to part ways with Fernandes.
“I don’t know if there are many or if there are few [interested clubs]. What I know, a lot has been spoken of values, coming to the press, €55 million, €62 million… for that he doesn’t leave, for sure. If Bruno Fernandes leaves, players with quality will come. But if Bruno leaves.”
As per the latest reports, Manchester United were working on a bid around €55 million, which will fall short of Sporting’s valuation of the player. And, with not long left before the summer transfer window slams shut, the Red Devils are running the risk of missing out on their key target
It now remains to be seen if the Premier League heavyweights act upon Varandas’s comments to lodge an acceptable bid for Bruno Fernandes, or if they end up missing out on the services of the Portuguese international.
