Manchester United could make a big splash in the transfer window after they went odds-on to sign long-term target Bruno Fernandes after claims in Portugal that a deal was close to becoming sealed.
United fans are craving some big-name reinforcements this January, and the addition of Sporting Lisbon playmaker Fernandes would be a huge boost for them and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Portugal international was continually linked with both United and Tottenham last summer but a move never materialised, and he signed a new deal with his club in November to apparently quash all talk of him moving to the Premier League.
However, financial difficulties at Sporting mean they may be forced to sell, and that has led to reports of a deal being pretty close that would bring him to Old Trafford to join United.
Portuguese sports paper O Jogo has now been reporting that talks have been taking place between the two clubs and O Jogo editor Filipe Dias has appeared on Sky Sports News to reiterate their belief that a deal is close.
"The story so far is that United this time are really closing in on Bruno Fernandes," Dias told the Sky Sports News Transfer Talk podcast.
"We ran the story that there are talks between the two clubs and we figured that a deal might be close in the next few days, or hours even, because Sporting need money badly.
"Talks have been intensified in the last couple of days, so we're kind of expecting that it might be close."
Man Utd to sign for before 3rd February 2020 (odds via Sky Bet)
- Bruno Fernandes -1/3
- James Maddison - 9/4
- Emre Can - 4/1
- Jack Grealish 5/1
- Jadon Sancho 6/1
- Christian Eriksen - 10/1
Odds correct as of 2101 on 01/10/20