Manchester United are reportedly on the verge of signing Portuguese international Bruno Fernandes in a €55 million deal.
According to a report by BBC Sport, Manchester United appear to have finally made a headway in their pursuit of Bruno Fernandes. The Premier League heavyweights are inching closer to securing the services of the Portuguese international on a an initial €55 million deal, with Sporting Lisbon also eligible to receive €25 million in add-ons.
Paul Hirst of The Times has offered further details on these bonuses, iterating that €5 million will be based on appearances next season with a further €5 million being paid if Manchester United qualify for the Champions League.
The remainder of the €15 million shall be shelled out if Bruno Fernandes wins the Ballon d’Or and if United win the Champions League. Paul Hirst has also added that the Portuguese international is expected to arrive in Manchester for his medical on Thursday.
MUFC close to signing Bruno Fernandes. Due in for medical (prob Thurs) after Utd agreed deal with Sporting Lisbon. €55m initial fee, plus another €5m based on appearances next season + €5m based on CL qualification PLUS another €15m if he wins Ballon d’Or and if Utd win CL
— Paul Hirst (@hirstclass) January 28, 2020
BBC have suggested that Sporting Lisbon’s original asking price had been €80 million, which they could eventually recoup anyway if the bonus clauses are met. However, Manchester United have also managed to reach a compromise with a €55 million upfront payment.
The Bruno Fernandes saga has dragged on for an excruciatingly long time now, with rumours of Manchester United’s interest in the player beginning as far back as the lead-up to the summer transfer window last year.
United never really managed to sign the Portuguese midfielder back then, but speculation over the player cropped up once again as the January transfer window approached. However, even then, Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon seemed to be at odds over their respective valuations of the player.
Midfield, though, has been a problem area for Manchester United all season. The Red Devils have sorely lacked goals from their midfielders, with Paul Pogba spending much of the season on the sidelines. With Scott McTominay also out injured, United have been lightweight in the department.
To that end, Bruno Fernandes is the kind of player who seemed to be a viable solution to be deployed in the no. 10 role in the 4-2-3-1 system that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer uses. The Portuguese international has been one of the most prolific players in Europe over the last couple of years, meaning he could potentially be an asset for Manchester United.
There appeared to be a major development in the English giants’ pursuit of the 25-year-old as well, with recent reports suggesting that they were ready to bump up their offer for him. It now seems as if a €55 million bid could be accepted, with Manchester United proposing to pay a further €25 million as add-ons.
News of Barcelona’s interest in Bruno Fernandes might have come as a shock this week, but it looks as if the transfer saga involving the Portuguese international and Manchester United might finally be coming to an end, with the Red Devils close to sealing the deal for the Sporting Lisbon captain.
