The Sporting CP midfielder is being touted as a world-class talent and yet no other major teams are trying to sign the 25-year-old
Bruno Fernandes is close to joining Manchester United but there are reasonable questions to be asked of his proposed transfer from Sporting CP.
The 25-year-old Portuguese was previously tipped to relocate to England last summer but no move materialised. The asking price was said to be anywhere between £60 million ($78m) and £80 million ($91) but, whatever it was, it was not low enough to tempt either Tottenham or United into doing a deal.
Most dramatically of all, Spurs replaced Mauricio Pochettino with Jose Mourinho in November. Their new boss has never been averse to bringing in a player linked with his ‘super-agent’ Jorge Mendes, who appears to have got himself involved in the Fernandes affair.
However, Spurs instead decided to sign another Fernandes, Gedson, of Benfica, to solve their midfield problems. Christian Eriksen, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is likely to depart for Inter in order to make way for the new arrival.
While Spurs are addressing their own transfer issues in midfield, United have seen their circumstances worsen.
For one, there was the injury to Scott McTominay. The 23-year-old Scot has been United’s best midfielder all season, but a ligament problem has ruled him out for a couple of months.
Added to that is Paul Pogba’s constant agitation for a move away. By far the side’s most talented individual, he is evidently not keen on sticking around at Old Trafford if he is afforded the chance to move elsewhere. For now, he is stuck in Manchester but is forced to sit on the sidelines due to surgery.
These injuries have played a part in United’s willingness to take a gamble on Fernandes. But there are other factors.
