Manchester United’s pursuit of Sporting Lisbon’s Bruno Fernandes could suffer a big blow as Barcelona reportedly plot a late move for the attacking midfielder
United hold a long-standing interest in the prolific playmaker, who they made their number one priority for the January transfer window.
But, the Red Devils have so far failed to capitalize on the 25-year-old’s intention to depart the Primeira Liga, as they have yet to strike a deal with Sporting.
Although Ole Gunnar Solskajer fights tooth and nail to secure Fernandes’ presence at Old Trafford, he might fall short of new faces in light of current events.
Barcelona are in advanced negotiations with Sporting CP to sign Bruno Fernandes on a five-year deal, loaned to Valencia until the summer. The Catalan side are now significantly ahead of Manchester United. [via @footballespana_] pic.twitter.com/OKB4ETtZoL
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 28, 2020
As reported by the Daily Star, Barcelona will try to ruin United’s plans of landing the Portugal international in the final week of the winter transfer session and use him to get to Valencia’s Rodrigo Moreno.
Indeed, the Catalans are seeking a replacement for the sidelined Luis Suarez and have set their sights on the Spaniard, and that’s where Fernandes comes in.
The La Liga giants are looking to snap up the former Sampdoria man and send him out to the Mestalla on a six-month loan to persuade Valencia to sell Rodrigo.
Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has emerged as the Blaugrana’s first choice to replace Suarez, but that deal seems highly unlikely to happen at this point.