Bruno Fernandes is set to head to Manchester United for a medical, according to a report by Corriere dello Sport.
The Italian media outlet claim the Red Devils have reached an agreement with Sporting CP regarding a deal for their playmaker thought to be worth around €70million (£63m).
They state that the 24-year-old is now ‘ready to land for medical visits in Manchester’, suggesting a transfer could be completed imminently.
The transfer regarding Fernandes and Manchester United has become somewhat of a saga recently as there have been a number of conflicting reports regarding the Portugal international’s future.
The Independent claimed the Red Devils were going to make a concrete offer for the playmaker within the next three weeks whereas Sky Sports reported recently that the 24-year-old was unlikely to be playing his football at Old Trafford next season.
However, with Corriere dello Sport running with a story suggesting that he is ready to have a medical with the Premier League giants, who knows where this transfer saga may end up.
But, what is known is how good a signing Fernandes could be for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side this summer if he were to join them ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Playing mainly as a central midfielder (WhoScored) despite being highly versatile, he found the back of the net 32 times and provided his team-mates with an additional 18 assists in his 53 appearances across all competitions (Transfermarkt), making him an extremely lethal marksman. The 24-year-old was exceptional with the ball at his feet, as he managed an average of 3.6 shots per 90 minutes, 3.2 key passes per game and managed to draw 2.4 fouls from the opposition.
As suggested by Total Football Analysis, teaming him up with the likes of Paul Pogba could provide the Red Devils with an attack-minded midfield that can help alleviate the pressure off the forward line. The France World Cup winner managed to get 13 goals in his 35 Premier League matches last season, whilst recording figures of 3 shots on average, 1.6 key passes and drawing 2 fouls per game when he looked to go forward.
Whether Corriere dello Sport‘s update on the Fernandes saga is believable remains to be seen. However, it is clearly evident that he has the ability to help improve Manchester United and Solskjaer’s side push on and improve on last season’s poor showings.
It would not be a surprise if there were more twists and turns in this deal before the transfer deadline is reached.
Manchester United fans, do you think the club is any closer to signing Fernandes this summer? Let us know your thoughts by sharing them in the comments section below!
