When some players are linked with big money moves it can turn their head, harm their football, and see them taking steps backwards instead of forwards.
That’s certainly not the case with Bruno Fernandes.
A couple of weeks ago we covered claims from Portugal that Liverpool have met with the player’s agents, trying to find the best way to go about a potential move. Fernandes plays for Sporting and their president Bruno de Carvalho is notorious for being difficult generally, and specifically when it comes to transfers.
Liverpool speaking to the 23 year old’s agents, and it was claimed there’d been several meetings, looked a reasonable idea given the circumstances and the player’s €100m clause.
The claims have rumbled on a little, and Fernandes seems to be inspired. The day after the Liverpool story came out he put in a Man of the Match display as Sporting beat Belenenses. Two assists and a goal saw the player as crucial.
Victories with Sporting, and good performances, against Porto and Boavista followed, and then on Saturday Fernandes scored twice and was again Man of the Match as Sporting beat Portimonense.
Reacting like that to transfer rumours is the best way possible, and backs up Liverpool having an interest.