Premier League champions Manchester City have reportedly made the first official approach for the signing of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting.
As reported by Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã today, Txiki Begiristain held a meeting with the Lions’ football director Hugo Viana in Manchester last week.
Manchester City would have asked the conditions to make the signing, and by making the first official approach, they have now taken the lead from Manchester United in the race for Fernandes.
Correio da Manhã says that despite the midfielder’s €100m release clause, Sporting are demanding €70m for the sale. And since the club are in need of money, they are not in a strong position to negotiate much.
The newspaper says that Viana returned to Lisbon with a bid from Manchester City, but it doesn’t sound like the move is being done now.They say Sporting’s intention is to let the ‘sharks’ battle among themselves so Sporting can benefit from the auction.
Manchester United’s approach for the player is described as ‘shy’, so it looks like Pep Guardiola’s side are the first to open serious talks for a summer transfer.
