Manchester United are ready to step up their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon star Bruno Fernandes and have reportedly made him a big-money offer.
Fernandes has been on the Red Devils' radar for much of the summer, after United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer identified him as a man capable of bolstering his midfielder in the new season.
Ander Herrera left at the end of last season while Paul Pogba is pushing for a switch away from Old Trafford, which leaves Solskjaer with a desperate bid to sign a new midfield maestro.
The Old Trafford giants have now reportedly made an offer of £50million for the Portugal international and are believed to be willing to pay him £5.5million a year - which works out at around £100,000-a-week.
United, however, are yet to agree a fee with Sporting and it was previously believed that the Portuguese giants are holding out for £70m.
The Red Devils are keen on bringing the 24-year-old midfielder to Old Trafford irrespective of Pogba's ongoing predicament at Old Trafford.
Three years after being brought back to Old Trafford in what was a world-record deal, Pogba has openly admitted that he is ready for "a new challenge somewhere else".
Pogba said there was "no need" to speak about his situation after United opened their pre-season tour of Australia with a 2-0 win against Perth Glory on Saturday but talk continues of a move to former club Juventus or Real Madrid .
Bryan Robson has said agents have too much influence on modern players and the Manchester United great hopes wantaway midfielder Pogba continues to knuckle down amid ongoing speculation.
"There is a lot of speculation in the media about Paul," the former midfielder said. "He is a top player.
"You are contracted to Man United, (so you have to) get your head down, do your pre-season, which, from what I have seen in the training sessions he has done and if something happens and the club want it to happen, or if it doesn't, you have to get on.
"You are contracted to Manchester United. You have to give everything for that club, that team and the fans."
