Bruno Fernandes to Manchester United could yet happen with Sporting Lisbon reportedly altering an element of the deal before Friday’s transfer deadline. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has personally ordered the signing of the Portugal international and the onus is on Ed Woodward to deliver, with time beginning to run out.
Manchester United’s pursuit of Fernandes has dominated the January transfer window and, with just days left, the future of the Sporting Lisbon star remains up in the air.
The Red Devils thought they could land the 25-year-old for as little as £42million at the start of the month, having been told as such by the player’s entourage.
Sporting have been firm in the time since, though, demanding a transfer fee closer to £60m in order to let their star asset jump ship.
United, so far, are yet to stump up the cash required to sign Fernandes.
But The Athletic say that United are continuing to negotiate with Sporting ahead of the deadline, even though they’d previously decided to give up on a deal.
Sporting are now reportedly looking to alter one add-on clause regarding Fernandes potentially winning the Ballon d’Or, rather than wanting the cash on ‘more realistic terms’.
KEY STORY: Man Utd still hopeful of completing Bruno Fernandes transfer before deadline on Friday
The PSG hitman is ready to leave the Parc des Princes now, rather than waiting until the end of the season to depart on a free transfer.
But United are behind Atletico Madrid in the race to sign the Uruguay international, with Cavani enticed by the prospect of playing under Diego Simeone.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson recently expressed a belief that Grealish should be United’s No 1 transfer target for the time being, rather than Fernandes.
He told the Daily Star: “Forget Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United should be trying to sign Jack Grealish.
“He is one of the top ten players in the Premier League right now. He is absolutely different class and would walk into almost any other Premier League team.
“Grealish would walk into the United team. Tottenham tried to get him not long ago and he’d walk into their team right now as well.
“I can’t explain to people how good this kid is. Aston Villa lost 6-1 to Manchester City and he was the only one who still had time on the ball.
“His composure is something else. I don’t understand why clubs aren’t queuing up to try and sign him. Is it because he’s English but isn’t playing for England?
“Bruno Fernandes is a full international. He’s had clubs all over Europe looking at him. But he’s never played in this league before. Grealish has. And he’s ripping it up every week.
“I love watching him play. If I had to pay to watch one player in the Premier League, I’d watch him.”