Although Manchester United have often been named as the frontrunners in the race for the Sporting midfielder Bruno Fernandes, we can’t forget about the mentions Chelsea are getting.
The Blues’ interest is often recalled by the Portuguese press, and it happens once again today, in a story from newspaper Correio da Manhã.
The newspaper brings some claims saying that although Fernandes is protected by a €100m release clause, Sporting could now sell him for a minimum of €70m.
Chelsea are along with Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan in the race for the midfielder, while Sporting’s intention is to make an auction and see who pays most.
With 26 goals this season, Fernandes is close to matching Frank Lampard’s record from the time he scored 27 in the 2010/11 season. The Portuguese press has been expecting this for a while, and the player has made some comments about it in an interview with newspaper Record today.
“Being a goal behind a player like Lampard, obviously there is an appetite to match and exceed this mark. Because he’s a midfielder of a level above the average and that marked much the history of English football and also Chelsea.”
Of course, Chelsea have the small matter of a transfer ban to wriggle out of if they’re to sign anyone.