Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas admits that Manchester United paid could have paid £50million less for Bruno Fernandes if they had have waited for the summer transfer window.
Fernandes joined United in a £68 million deal at the end of January, but due to the financial ramifications of the coronavirus, player's values and club's budgets have decreased.
Varandas admits Sporting would have been forced to reduce Fernandes' asking price if negotiations took place following the Covid-19 outbreak.
He told SIC: 'The crisis caused by Covid-19 harms the European football industry in general.
'But, of all countries, Portugal is the most affected because 50 per cent of revenues come from the sale of players.
'Fernandes was sold for £68m in January.
'Today, what would he be worth? Maybe £17m? £27m? Nobody knows.'
Since joining the Red Devils, Fernandes has slotted into United's midfield effortlessly, becoming a crucial part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans.
His excellent start at Old Trafford is down to his speed of thought in attacking areas as the Portuguese international provided United with the extra gear in games they needed.
With the help of Fernandes, United went into the coronavirus lockdown in fifth place in the Premier League, and through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and all but in the last eight of the Europa League.
