Manchester United have reportedly lodged a fresh £46.4million bid to sign Bruno Fernandes – but Sporting are holding out for a fee of £50.6m for their captain.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been desperate to add an attacking midfielder to his squad this January – as he plans for United’s long-term future without Paul Pogba – and Fernandes has been identified as the club’s top target.
Sporting received a £42.5m (plus £8.5m in bonuses) offer from United for the 25-year-old midfielder last week, but the Portuguese outfit had no interest in doing business at that price.
However, the Red Devils remain confident of reaching an agreement this winter, with Sporting beginning to lower their demands for the Portugal international.
The Times claims an improved bid of £46.4m – which includes performance-related bonuses for Sporting – was submitted for Fernandes on Saturday as United make one last push before the transfer deadline.
But Sporting are not ready to agree to United’s proposal as they want an up front fee of £50.6m for the ex-Sampdoria man.
Sporting are expecting a third offer from the Premier League giants in the coming days.
Darren Fletcher believes United could do with signing a striker like Edinson Cavani as well as Fernandes before the January transfer window closes on Friday night.
Asked about Cavani, the former United midfielder told BBC Sport: ‘It’s a road they didn’t want to go down because they’ve been down that road before but maybe needs must at this time.
‘Probably a striker as well, [they need to sign] Bruno Fernandes and a striker. It’s at that case in time.
‘If Cavani is available, there’s talk of him going to Chelsea… Manchester United can’t allow Cavani to go to Chelsea.
‘I’m not sure if he is, whether it’s Atletico Madrid [he’s moving to], but if he’s going to Chelsea there’s no way Manchester United can let that happen, they’ve got to make sure he comes to Old Trafford.
‘If haggling over whatever the Bruno Fernandes deal is, it might mean us paying a little bit more, but they will see that tonight as well, Sporting Lisbon will see the desperation from Manchester United and it puts them in an even more powerful position to hold on to the player and get exactly what they want.’
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