United confirm agreement with Sporting CP for Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United are just a few pieces of paperwork away from finalizing Bruno Fernandes' transfer from Sporting CP.
The Red Devils confirmed an agreement with the Portuguese club Wednesday. The midfielder needs to pass a medical and ink personal terms before completing a move reportedly worth up to €80 million after add-ons.
The January window closes at 6 p.m. ET on Friday.
Sporting CP were reportedly holding firm on their €80-million valuation, which was €20 million more than what United wanted to pay. However, there was a breakthrough in talks on Tuesday when the English giants apparently lodged an initial €55-million offer with another €25 million potentially being paid in add-ons.
The add-ons break down to €15 million relating to United's Premier League and Champions League performances, with a further €10 million tied to Fernandes' individual objectives, according to The Guardian's Jamie Jackson.
Before United and Sporting struck the Fernandes deal, the 25-year-old was the subject of a convoluted transfer tale involving Barcelona and Valencia. The Blaugrana were apparently plotting a move for Fernandes before immediately loaning him out to Valencia for the rest of the season. In return, Barcelona would've signed Rodrigo from Valencia.
Fernandes would address the dearth of incisive, attack-minded players in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's midfield. He has scored eight goals and assisted seven times in the current Primeira Liga campaign, and scored or assisted eight goals through the Europa League group stage.
He's represented Portugal 19 times.