Manchester United moved closer to the signing of Bruno Fernandes after agreeing personal terms with the midfielder.
As revealed by Mirror Sport on Monday, United are ready to offer £50million for the Sporting Lisbon star, in a deal that is set to rise to £65m with add-ons.
Super-agent Jorge Mendes, who looks after Fernandes, was at Old Trafford for Wednesday's FA Cup replay against Wolves to finalise the move.
With personal terms settled, United will look to agree a fee with Sporting in a bid to conclude the deal this weekend.
If the deal is confirmed within the next 48 hours, Fernandes could make his United debut in their Premier League game at home to Burnley next Wednesday.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer moved for Fernandes to bolster his midfield, which had been stretched with the double loss of Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.
Fernandes is understood to have been offered a five-year deal, with the option for an extra year, worth around £150,000-a-week.
The 25-year-old is set to make his final appearance for Sporting in Friday night's derby against Benfica, before flying to Manchester to complete his move.
Now Sporting boss Silas has confirmed that Fernandes will start in Portugal’s most historic fixture, in what is set to be Fernandes' finale at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
"The only certainty I have is that Bruno will play [in the derby]," said Silas at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
"We prepared the game with him, trained very well. He is the most valuable player in the league and last year he was.
"I've heard some people talk about money. He isn't worth the numbers they refer to, but he's worth a lot more.
"In addition to attacking, he kills himself to defend. There is no player doing what he does in Portugal and there was nobody last year either.
"When we have such a player, it is normal for a lot of people to want it. Only if there is a catastrophe will there not be.”
