Real Madrid have joined Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon star Bruno Fernandes, according to reports.
Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane is looking to strengthen his midfield before the start of the new La Liga campaign and had been hoping to complete a big-money move for Paul Pogba.
However, the Spanish giants have been unable to reach a deal for the Red Devils midfielder, forcing the club to look at other options.
Although it has been reported that Real are close to reaching an agreement with Ajax for Donny van de Beek , Record claims that the club are preparing to make an approach for Fernandes.
According to the Portuguese publication, Madrid are working with agent Jorge Mendes to try and beat United and Tottenham to the 24-year-old's signature.
The Portugal international, who scored 20 goals and provided 13 assists in the league for Sporting last season, has been heavily linked with the Premier League duo in the last week, with both clubs looking to bolster their midfields.
It is understood that Spurs representatives met Sporting officials on Thursday to discuss a potential deal as they look for an alternative to Real Betis star Giovani Lo Celso.
However, neither side has been able to meet Sporting's £64million asking price for the player, with Record suggesting that the north London club had an opening offer of £54m turned down.
Meanwhile, United have prioritised other targets and are on the verge of completing a deal for Leicester City defender Harry Maguire.
The Red Devils agreed an £80m fee with the Foxes that will see the England international become the world's most expensive defender, eclipsing the £75m Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk.
The centre-back, 26, is now expected to have a medical with the club over the weekend.
If the deal is finalised, Maguire will become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James.
