Manchester City may use forgotten forward Marlos Moreno to get a deal for Sporting midfielder Bruno Fernandes over the line, reports in Portugal say.
City are 'close' to signing Fernandes according to Jornal de Noticias (via SportWitness), and will attempt to get the deal over the line by allowing Moreno to move the other way for €3m. The MEN reported on Friday how City are closing on a deal for Fernandes.
Moreno was signed in 2016 for £4.75m, but has flopped in loan spells at Deportivo la Coruna, Girona, and Flamengo. He is currently playing in Mexico with Santos Laguna.
But with City said to be aware of Manchester United's interest in Fernandes, they feel Moreno could help speed things up. Despite City's reported demands for a 35-50% sell on fee that are far away from Sporting's expectations, the report says the deal is 'expected' to be concluded.
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And it could mark the start of a more formal relationship between the two clubs, with Jornal de Noticias also saying more City players could be sent to Sporting on loan in the future.
Meanwhile, City may consider selling Leroy Sane this summer if a new contract for the winger cannot be agreed, the Daily Record says.
With Sane yet to sign a new deal, City may cash in on the German while he has two years remaining on his contract.
If that were to happen - despite City's hopes that the situation will be resolved - City would apparently pursue Benfica winger Joao Felix as a replacement.
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