Manchester City are reportedly in advanced talks to hijack the transfer of £90million United target Bruno Fernandes.
Pep Guardiola and Co are thought to be in the driving seat to sign the highly-rated Sporting star after a recent discussion with agent Jorge Mendes, reports The Sun.
City believe the 24-year-old can be the successor to Fernandinho, who turned 34 at the weekend and is about to enter the final year of his contract, at the base of Pep Guardiola’s midfield.
Fernandes has been one of Portugal’s best emerging talents in recent seasons and was of interest to the likes of Atletico Madrid and West Ham last summer.
Fernandes has been in incredible form this season, scoring 31 goals and adding 17 assists in the league.
His sensational showing this season had United chasing his signature this summer.
But Goal are now claiming “noisy neighbours” City are in pole position for the Portuguese star’s signature.
City and Sporting have called in super-agent Mendes to help broker a deal – although he is not Fernandes’ representative at this time.
The Primeira Liga side are hoping to rake-in £90m for the deal.
However, Guardiola is hoping to tempt Sporting into selling their prized asset for closer to £50m – plus the promise of two City stars, either on loan or on permanent deals.
Eliaquim Mangala, Aleix Garcia, Douglas Luiz and Marlos Moreno are thought to be four of the players potentially moving the other way.
And Mendes is said to have met City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain on a number of occasions to negotiate the terms of a summer deal.
Sporting’s director, former Newcastle star Hugo Viana, is also thought to have been present for at least one of those meetings.
Meanwhile, City star and fellow Portugal ace Bernardo Silva has called Fernandes a “great player”.
Silva added: “He has had a fantastic season with many goals, many assists that are not normal for a player of his position.
“He has the best numbers and we’ll see what happens at the end of the season.
“He is a player who can play in other championships.”