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How Tottenham could line up if Jose Mourinho hijacks Bruno Fernandes to Man Utd transfer
Tottenham are interested in signing Sporting midfielder Bruno Fernandes despite the playmaker being a transfer target for Manchester United - but how would he fit into Jose Mourinho’s team?
Bruno Fernandes scores incredible goal for Sporting
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho wants to strengthen his midfield in the January transfer window and the club are considering making another attempt to sign Sporting playmaker Bruno Fernandes.
Spurs failed in their attempts to sign the 25-year-old last summer, but according to football.london, Tottenham are preparing to make another approach for Fernandes this month.
Mourinho is currently left short-handed in midfield following an injury to Moussa Sissoko.
The France international has already undergone surgery on his right knee and the club’s medical staff don’t expect he will return until April at the earliest.
Sissoko’s injury adds to the club’s problems as they also face the uncertainty over the immediate future of Christian Eriksen.
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The Dane, who could leave the north London club this month, is in the final year of his current contract and if he isn’t sold in the current transfer window, then Spurs are likely to lose him for nothing in the summer.
As a result Spurs are considering making another attempt at signing Fernandes.
Tottenham were hopeful a deal would be completed in August, however, the transfer fell through as Sporting were unhappy with how the club had structured their offer.
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Spurs had reportedly tabled two bids during the summer but Sporting were unhappy with the amount of add-ons being included in the offers and instead were seeking more cash upfront.
If Eriksen does leave in the January window, then Fernandes is seen as an ideal replacement for Mourinho.
The Portugal international has been in fantastic form for Sporting this season and once again has proven he has an eye for goal.
So far this campaign the midfielder has scored 13 goals and provided 13 assists from just 24 games.
But Spurs face competition from Manchester United to sign Fernandes, who Express Sport understand are preparing to make a £65m bid for the midfielder.
United had hoped to include a player in their offer in order to reduce the transfer fee, although Sporting rejected the inclusion of Marcos Rojo, Joel Pereira or Angel Gomes in any potential deal.
As a result the Red Devils are hoping an initial offer of £50m with £15m in add-ons, will be enough to convince Sporting to sell.
However, if Spurs are successful in beating United to Fernandes’ signature, then he would be expected to go straight into Mourinho’s starting line-up.
Fernandes can comfortably play in the two of Mourinho’s favoured formations, with the midfielder capable of playing in the middle three of a 4-3-3 formation, as well as acting as one of the two deep-lying midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
How Tottenham could line up with Bruno Fernandes
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Dier, Fernandes; Lo Celso, Alli, Lucas; Son