Manchester United have entered fresh talks to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes after the player reportedly agreed terms on a move to Old Trafford.
Gazette dello Sport’s Nicolo Shira announced that the 24-year-old had accepted a six-year deal with the Red Devils worth £106,000 per week, after United were said to have held discussions with his agent overnight.
The journalist also revealed on Twitter that United must now be prepared to stump up the £65 million asking price if they are to prise Fernandes away from the Portuguese club.
Fernandes played in Sporting’s demoralising 5-0 Super Cup hammering at the hands of rivals Benfica on Sunday, in what is believed to be his final appearance for the club.
He was visibly emotional following the loss, and issued a statement by way of apology to the Lisbon fans.
Fernandes said: "This is not a time for many words, it is not a time to raise our heads.
"It is a time to bow our heads and think about the mistakes we have made and that we should never make them again.
"It is the moment to think about what made us win, cups we won last year and that the unity and fellowship we had led us to these achievements!"
United have until the deadline at 5pm (GMT) on this coming Thursday August 8 to complete a move for Fernandes if he is to join up with the squad for the first half of the season.
It has been a successful transfer window thus far for United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who added Harry Maguire to his ranks in a world-record deal for a defender on Monday.
Maguire joins from Leicester in an £80 million switch, and will link up with fellow new signings Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James.
The club were also in talks to sign Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, but have since revoked their interest after the player showed no ambition to move to Old Trafford, but are for Tottenham's Christian Eriksen.
Solskjaer stated he was hopeful the club could complete a couple more deals before Thursday's deadline after landing Maguire's signature.
He said: “We still hope one or two deals can be done. We’ve been working on cases for a long time and suddenly the deal can be done when it’s dragging on."
