Liverpool have submitted an offer worth £40m for Manchester United transfer target Bruno Fernandes Fernandes.
The Champions League winners are one of a number of club's chasing the Sporting midfielder's signature, along with domestic foes United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha report that the Reds have submitted an offer of around £40m for the 24-year-old, who has impressed in the Primera Liga this season.
It is unlikely that offer will be accepted, though, with Sporting holding out for a larger offer, something they feel will come with so many clubs interested in their star man, who has a release clause £86m written into his contract.
The midfielder also played a key role for Portugal as they triumphed in the recent Nations League finals and hinted after that success over the Netherlands that he would be open to a move to the Premier League.
"I’m calm, I’m at a big club. I don’t need to move and I’m not trying to leave," said the 24-year-old.
"If the opportunity comes to go to a team that you can’t refuse, I’ll talk to Sporting."
Fernandes netted 29 times for Sporting last term and that goalscoring form is something which has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
The 24-year-old also proved himself as a creator of goals, adding an impressive 17 assists too.
The Portugal is expected to move on in the summer, with a host of Europe's top sides having monitored his progress last term.
Sporting are hoping Fernandes generates a bidding war, which will see his price go up as clubs battle it out for the midfielder's signature.
And with Liverpool's offer said to be below Sporting's valuation, they will likely have to submit another bid if they want to get their man.
