Harry Diamond
Manchester United are seemingly no closer to securing a deal for Bruno Fernandes, with the club’s bizarre transfer strategy holding up a deal for the Sporting Lisbon star.
The Portugal international has emerged as the club’s primary target for the winter window as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seeks to add creativity to his midfield this month, the two clubs having been hopeful on agreeing a deal that will see the 25-year-old move to Old Trafford.
Reports had suggested that a deal had been agreed between Sporting president Frederico Varandas, his director of football, Hugo Viana, and Manchester United‘s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, the deal said to be worth around £55 million.
Jorge Mendes on Bruno Fernandes' transfer to Man United
🗣"If he doesn't leave now, he will leave for sure end of the season. Sporting have spoken with other clubs" pic.twitter.com/YGqLebBCVA
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 22, 2020
However, according to Sky Sports, United then made the bizarre decision to lower their offer to just £42m, believing Sporting would be willing to accept the revised, lower offer due to the Portuguese club being in desperate need of funds before the deadline.
That change in approach has led to the move stalling, a decision which is only likely to raise the current unrest surrounding the club which reached new heights following their woeful 2-0 defeat at home to Burnley on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Goal claim that the move is now completely off after intervention from United co-chairman Joel Glazer, the American said to be concerned over Sporting’s asking price for the midfielder and the two clubs unable to agree terms over the structure of the deal.
With just a week remaining until the transfer deadline the club’s struggles in securing deals will be a major concern, United yet to make any new additions and having already missed out on the signing of Erling Haaland to Borussia Dortmund.
Solskjaer’s side currently sit fifth in the Premier League, six points adrift of the Champions League places, and face an uphill battle to return to Europe’s elite competition next season.
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