Man united near bid for sporting star

Sky Sports News understand Sporting want more than £50m for the Portugal midfielder

Manchester United want to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes, Sky Sports News understands.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United manager, is keen to bolster his midfield options after losing Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera over the past six months.

A source in Portugal claims the player's agent travelled to the UK yesterday to sound out possible options, with Sporting hoping to get more than £50m for Fernandes.

Fernandes signed a five-year contract last summer with a release clause of £31m. If a club meets his release clause - but Sporting refuse to sell - Fernandes is due a £4.5m payment.

Sporting President Frederico Varandas says there have been talks with Fernandes about his future and is hopeful any deal for the Portugal midfielder will be the most expensive sale in the club's history.

Fernandes scored 32 goals in 50 appearances last season.

In terms of other midfield targets, United are also interested in signing Newcastle's Sean Longstaff.

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