Man United 'make contact' with agents of Sporting Lisbon captain Fernandes

Manchester United have made contact with the agents of Sporting Lisbon captain Bruno Fernandes.

The attacking midfielder has previously been linked with a multi-million pound move to Liverpool in the Portuguese press, but United have now also expressed an interest, according to A Bola.

Fernandes has had an outstanding season with Sporting, who are currently fourth in the Portuguese top flight.

The 24-year-old has been involved in 33 goals this season in all competitions, making 11 assists and scoring 22 for the capital city club.

And the sports paper reports that Sporting could be receptive to potential interest due to the big money involved, with the club currently struggling financially off the field.

Fernandes has been crucial to Sporting's recovery following the turmoil induced by the chaotic reign of former club president Bruno de Carvalho.

The controversial president of the Portuguese giants was finally dismissed from the club after nine players — including Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio — decided to tear up their contracts.

That followed a period in which 50 supporters attacked players and coaches at the club's training ground towards the end of the season. They also hired and then sacked Sinisa Mihajlovic over a period of nine days.

Fernandes elected to stay at the club last summer and has thrived under the stewardship of former Ajax coach Marcel Keizer.

While the club sit outside the top three, they comfortably dispatched third-placed club SC Braga last week, with Fernandes scoring an impressive free-kick before setting up Bas Dost for the Dutchman's third goal.

Fernandes also scored against Villarreal on Thursday, however a 1-1 draw in Spain was not enough to send them through to the last-16 of the Europa League.

'I'm in a good moment. It's important to score goals, but what I care about is helping the team,' Fernandes told JN Jornal de Noticias earlier this week.

'I have returned and now I want to win even more titles, I know the size of Sporting and I am not satisfied with just two League Cups.'

A Bola also report that Chelsea could make a move for Porto full-back Alex Telles.

Left-back Telles has featured in every league match this season, making 9 assists from 33 appearances in all competitions.

With Marcos Alonso enduring a difficult season in west London, Telles has been reportedly earmarked as a potential replacement. However, any move would likely depend on the outcome of Chelsea's appeal from a FIFA-imposed transfer ban.