Tottenham hold talks with Bruno Fernandes' agent in move that could force Manchester United's hand
Tottenham Hotspur held talks with the agent of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes this week in a move that could force Manchester United to make a final decision on the Portugal international.
Miguel Pinho is believed to have met with Spurs officials in London on Wednesday as the north London club weigh up a move for the highly regarded 24-year-old.
Tottenham also have a firm interest in Giovani Lo Celso, the Real Betis and Argentina midfielder, and remain hopeful of signing one of those two targets amid serious doubts over the future of Christian Eriksen.
United met with Pinho in London around two months ago but their immediate priority is to strike a deal with Crystal Palace for the England Under-21 right back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, in what is proving a protracted negotiation, before pressing ahead with moves for midfield targets.
Old Trafford officials are thought to have informed the Fernandes camp within the past fortnight that they needed some more time in order to close a deal for a right back and asked to be kept abreast of any movement on the Portuguese.
But news that Tottenham have stepped up their interest in Fernandes could prompt United into action.
Sporting would doubtless encourage a bidding war and have put an outlandish £70 million price tag on Fernandes, who scored 31 goals in 50 appearances from an attacking midfield role last season, but he is more likely to leave for around £45 million.
United are pursuing both an attacking and a more defensive-minded midfielder, even if Paul Pogba stays, and have scouted a series of targets as well as being offered numerous players in recent months. They could bid for the Newcastle United midfielder, Sean Longstaff, although, as of Wednesday, the north-east club had still to receive an approach for the 21-year-old.
United have been focusing their efforts on trying to sign Wan-Bissaka but they have yet to offer Palace the guaranteed £50 million the South London club are demanding in addition to add-ons.
Contrary to reports that a £55 million fee had been agreed, there had still been no agreement reached as of Wednesday night although talks are continuing and a breakthrough is expected soon.
Eriksen’s future remains up in the air, especially while Real explore the possibility of signing Pogba. The Denmark midfielder would be a significantly cheaper option for the Spanish giants in the event Pogba stays at Old Trafford. Eriksen has also been linked with United should Pogba go.
