Man United could have signed Bruno Fernandes for £17m in the summer: Sporting Lisbon chief

Man United could have signed Portuguese midfielder Bru Fernandes for a cut-price £17million this summer. This is according to Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas, who claims that coronavirus pandemic would have forced club to part with Bru Fernandes for £50 million less than his initial transfer fee. However, with a number of midfielders out injured, Man United were glad to complete a Bru Fernandes transfer in January earlier this year as dynamic midfielder hit ground running at atre of Dreams.

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Bru Fernades transfer from Sporting Lisbon in January

Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was desperate to add some quality into his rar lacklustre midfield during January transfer window. Despite being linked with a few players in Europe, Red Devils struggled to lure any big names until Sporting Lisbon accepted a reported £68 million transfer fee for Bru Fernandes on January 29. Bru Fernandes transfer was agreed just before transfer deadline day. Following Fernandes' arrival in red half of Manchester,  25-year-old hit ground running in a Man United shirt, inspiring his teammates in process.

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Bru Fernandes transfer would have been accepted at £17 million following COVID-19 crisis, says Sporting CP president

While speaking to SIC, Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas explained how coronavirus pandemic has had a massive financial impact on clubs in Portugal. Varandas also stated that Primeira Liga giants would have sold Bru Fernandes to Man United for £50 million less this summer due to pandemic. He claimed Portuguese clubs would be obliged to sell star players as around 50 percent of ir total revenue comes from sale of players.  40-year-old also hinted that Man United could have secured Bru Fernandes transfer for a fee of around £17 million or £27 million in summer transfer window. 

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Man United transfer news: Sancho, Maddison, Grealish on wish-list

Bru Fernandes has already hit ground running at Old Trafford netting three times and registering four assists in all competitions since his move to Man United. However, with speculation around World Cup-winning French midfielder Paul Pogba's exit, Man United are still on lookout for a potential replacement if 27-year-old opts to leave in summer. Leicester City's James Maddison and Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish are reportedly two players at top of Man United's transfer wishlist heading into summer. Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho is also a rumoured target as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes to add some firepower to his attacking ranks. 

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