Sporting manager Marcel Keizer says he is not hopeful that Bruno Fernandes will stay at the club, with Manchester United among the Premier League clubs interested.
United are monitoring Fernandes after a prolific season that saw him have a direct role in 50 goals across just 53 games.
However, rivals Liverpool and Tottenham are also thought to be strongly interested, according to reports.
Portuguese media are split over which club is leading the race for Fernandes, but Record say United is his most likely destination.
And the same publication have quotes from manager Keizer, who admits the chances of keeping Fernandes next season are slim, hinting that the club are preparing for the coming season without their playmaker.
Keizer told the outlet : "I want Bruno Fernandes to stay, but everyone knows the current situation, it's going to be difficult to keep him going, he's on vacation, we'll see what happens."
Keizer also said the club's transfer business will have an impact on their chances of winning the Primeira Liga in 2019/20, with Fernandes a key part of the team.
"If Sporting can win the championship? First we have to see what happens in this transfer window and soon we will see," he added.
