Manchester United are primed to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes this summer.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the Old Trafford club have started informal talks with the player and are leading the race for his signature.
They will, however, have to fend off stiff competition from Serie A giants AC Milan if they are to bring the 24-year-old to Old Trafford this summer.
It is thought Fernandes, who signed for Sporting in 2017 after stints at Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria, could favour a return to Italy having played five seasons of football there before moving to Portugal.
It is understood United are in the market for a midfielder this summer and the Portugual international is a player who they are closely monitoring.
Sporting are growing increasingly resigned to the fact they won't be able to keep hold of the player this summer, however will seek hefty remuneration for his sale.
Fernandes's release clause currently stands at £86million, but United will be hopeful they can strike up a deal for significantly less when the window opens.
An attacking midfielder, Fernandes has notched an impressive tally of 27 goals and provided a further 15 assists this term.
Reddevilsalways
73
sell him for highest Price and buy a creative midfielder for half of his price and with other half give contracts to Herrera and De Gea..I am getting really frustrated with his mentality and how he plays lately
as_win10
65
Best option for Manchester United A Goal scoring Midfielder A Playmaker Long Range expert Freekick Specialist I would love to see him playing in Manchester United
baba21
57
Really good player. Wouldn't be against the move
Citymen
44
He deserve much more than Sporting can offer now, last year and even the year before that, Sporting had a good solid side able to compete in all competitions but that is all gone now and the current Sporting side is being carried by Bruno and it is as obvious as day, if this is true then how Manchester United are playing now will be a massive step up for Bruno and he will be able to fit in easily into an attacking team