Bruno Fernandes shows off skills for Sporting against Benfica
Sporting Lisbon reportedly want Manchester United to up their initial payment for Bruno Fernandes as the Red Devils look to secure a deal for the midfielder. Reports have suggested that United will pay £34million for Fernandes with up to £25.5m available in add-ons.
United have long been linked with a move for the 25-year-old with Fernandes playing the full 90 minutes for Sporting in the 2-0 loss to Benfica on Friday.
Express Sport understand talks are ongoing as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to strengthen in midfield.
But The Sun claim that Sporting fear the add-ons would not arrive as they are due to achievements that are unlikely to happen.
Among those are United winning the Premier League, the Champions League and Fernandes lifting the Ballon d’Or.
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And former England winger Sue Smith wants Solskjaer to secure more signings following the expected arrival of Fernandes.
“I think Man United probably need a little bit more than just a creative midfielder,” Smith said on Sky Sports News.
“But I do think he will be a great addition, I think he’s something that is exactly what Manchester United need.
“There’s been games this season where I’ve watched United and they need that player that can break down a team that’s going to sit back and defend and make it difficult.
Man Utd transfer news: Bruno Fernandes played the full 90 minutes for Sporting Lisbon on Friday (Image: GETTY)
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“He’s got three fantastic forward players there, the likes of [Marcus] Rashford, [Anthony] Martial and Dan James, and they’ve got that pace and they’ve got that quality and creativity.
“But if a team sits back and there’s no space in-behind, you need somebody who’s going to be creative and break those teams down. [Paul] Pogba can do it but there’s not been enough of that.
“So I think he will certainly add to what Manchester United need but you’d think United maybe need another centre-back, I think they probably do.
“I also think they probably need another centre-forward, just something a bit different to what they’ve got at the moment.”