Manchester City have joined the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes, MySportDab reports.
According to Portuguese newspaper Correio de Manha, Man City Boss Pep Guardiola is ready to offer a mega £86million (€100m) bid for the 25-year-old Portuguese.
Rivals Manchester United have been linked with Bruno Fernandes since last summer but have failed to secure the deal.
Manchester City have entered the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes, with an £86 million bid in the works. pic.twitter.com/OrhzGjGpmY— Transfer News (@TransfersLlVE) The Red Devils were very close to completing a move for the Fernandes last week.
But, talks have not progressed due to Sporting Lisbon transfer fee demands, which is £68m up front.
United are only offering the Portuguese club £50m plus a further £15m in add-ons.
City’s bid would definitely overshadow United’s offer for the Sporting star, leading the anger among the Manchester United fans after Sunday’s loss against Liverpool.
The transfer to Manchester City would also be far more pleasing to the Primeira Liga team, as City’s offer includes a six-month loan back to Sporting for the rest of the season.
MySportDab understands the Citizens plan to sign the player this January, but will send him back to his current club until the end of the current season.
Sporting would then receive the payment and also keep a crucial player in their squad as they bid to qualify for the Europa League next season.
A shock transfer bid for Fernandes would surely make sense for the present Premier League champions.
City are expected to lose David Silva at the end of this season, after his 10-year long stay at the Etihad Stadium.
There will be a vacancy in centre-midfield for Guardiola’s team and Fernandes is a perfect fit for Guardiola’s system.
Meanwhile, United Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had made Fernandes his top priority this month, after disappointing injuries to Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba.
MySportDab can confirm that both clubs are stuck in negotiations, but time goes on and waits for no one.
Sporting only recently increased their valuation of the 25-year-old to £68m, a fee they want paid in full and at once.
United remain optimistic about signing Fernandes before deadline day, though talks will reportedly continue today.
Fernandes has also told Sporting chiefs he wants to leave the club this month, to join Manchester United and hopes both clubs can agree to a fee.
