Manchester United look set to win the race to sign Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese was the subject of much speculation during the summer transfer window, with both United and Tottenham keen to sign him.
Spurs agreed a deal with the midfielder in the summer, but could not get a deal over the line with Sporting CP.
Fernandes spoke about the failed move in an interview with GQ, saying: "As you all know, Tottenham made a lot of proposals for me. Everything was right with me - or practically should be.
"I never made any big demands, my manager was always dealing with the finances. It was, and is my goal to play in England, Sporting know that, everyone knows that, and there were conditions for things to be done.
"But Sporting understood that the value was not enough and I have to respect the decision."
New Spurs boss Jose Mourinho was asked about the potential of a follow-up move for the 25-year-old this month, but he ruled out a deal for his countryman, saying: "We are not a club that is going to make big transfers in the market, nor is it going towards players who are already developed or at a certain level of expectation, also economically.
"I would definitely say no because Bruno is a player of a level and value that is not for us."
However, it looks like a move to England is now on, with Manchester United closing in on a deal.
Filipe Dias, editor-in-chief of Portuguese publication O Jogo spoke to Sky Sports about the midfielder's future.
He said: "The story so far is that United this time are really closing in on Bruno Fernandes. There are talks between the two clubs and we figured that a deal might be close in the next few days, or hours even, because Sporting need money badly."
And Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has stoked the fires with a big hint that a deal is almost done.
Ferdinand tweeted: "Brunoooooooooooo" with an hourglass emoji and a watch emoji on Frfiday night.
It looks like a deal is all-but done and all that remains is an official announcement.
Sport Witness responded to Ferdinand's tweet by saying: "Rio, you've caused an almighty fuss in the Portugal media."
And Ferdinand replied with a shrugging emoji and a laughing emoji saying: "I’m sitting & waiting like you! Keep refreshing @ManUtd Twitter."
It will be another transfer target that Tottenham have missed out on, but perhaps one, given Mourinho's comments, that Spurs fans were not expecting to happen anyway.
