---
title: "Manchester United: Club reportedly begins talks with Sporting Lisbon over Fernandes"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-club-reportedly-begins-talks-with-sporting-lisbon-over-fernandes/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2020-01-11T05:00:14Z"
modified: "2020-01-11T05:00:14Z"
---

# Manchester United: Club reportedly begins talks with Sporting Lisbon over Fernandes

**According to a report by Portuguese outlet [O Jogo](https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/sporting/noticias/manchester-united-vai-agarrar-bruno-fernandes-e-sporting-admite-cedencias-11690970.html), Manchester United have begun negotiations with Sporting Lisbon over the transfer of star midfielder Bruno Fernandes – with the Red Devils’ hunt for a prolific attacking midfielder well underway.**

Fernandes, who totalled an impressive 32 goals and 18 assists in all competitions for Sporting last term ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bruno-fernandes/leistungsdaten/spieler/240306/plus/0?saison=2018)), broke Frank Lampard’s long-standing record from the 2009/2010 season for most goals scored from a midfielder in Europe – with the Englishman’s 27 strikes eventually [being smashed](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/bruno-fernandes-breaks-silence-premier-14386594) by the 25-year-old. As a result, the attacking midfielder has been[likened](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/bruno-fernandes-breaks-silence-premier-14386594) to the Chelsea legend – potentially exciting many supporters if he were to make an Old Trafford switch.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

As per the report, Sporting are not going to let Fernandes leave easily, with the club reportedly slapping a [£60 million](https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/sporting/noticias/manchester-united-vai-agarrar-bruno-fernandes-e-sporting-admite-cedencias-11690970.html) price tag on the goalscoring midfield player and refusing to budge on the terms. However, judging by Fernandes’[stats](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bruno-fernandes/leistungsdaten/spieler/240306/plus/0?saison=2018), it is not ludicrous to say that the sum of money they’re demanding could be worth it. After all, they broke a world record for a defender over the course of the summer, so spending money on a more advanced area of the team doesn’t appear to be out of the question.

Indeed, the [Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/manchester-united-news-transfer-arsenal-james-maddison-jack-grealish-january-latest-a9267416.html) did suggest the club were keen on moving for a creative midfielder earlier this month and, given his impressive aforementioned haul when it comes to being involved in goals, the Portuguese looks a natural fit.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

In comparison to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s current crop of midfielders, including Paul Pogba ([injured](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/paul-pogba-provides-injury-update-21237409)), Scott McTominay [(injured](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50921066)), Jesse Lingard and Fred, the numbers just do not compare – with Fernandes eclipsing all of them in terms of finding the net and assisting others, [as per WhoScored.com](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United). While McTominay and Pogba are currently sidelined, and with Lingard going through an [abject](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10701565/lingard-solskjaer-man-utd-axe/) run of form, it could be high time that United splash the cash and do everything possible to land a top-class addition to their weakened midfield.

***Man United fans, should your club splash the cash for Fernandes? Join the discussion by commenting below…***