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Nuno Mendes is the star of the Portuguese sport media on Saturday, with the Sporting youngster splashed across the front pages of both Record and A Bola.

The 18-year-old primarily operates as a left back, although he can play as a central defender and that may be something he looks to build upon as his career progresses.

Mendes is represented by Miguel Pinho, who is Bruno Fernandes’ agent. That’s inevitably seen claims of Manchester United being a potential destination for the player, and there’s been repeated reports that Mendes came up during the talks which finally saw Fernandes move to Old Trafford.

The reason the youngster is in the news is Sporting are on the verge of renewing his contract, and it’s thought his buyout clause will rise to €70m.

That won’t rule out a transfer next summer, with Record reporting Real Madrid have also been in touch. Manchester United are ‘delighted’ by the player’s progress and potentially signing him, and the same goes for Liverpool and Manchester City.

Record state: ‘Only someone little interested in football or inattentive is not aware of the evolution of Nuno Mendes at Sporting in 2020’

Whilst he may not be in the position Manchester United most need for the summer 2021 window, this is certainly a situation to keep an eye on, with Record making it clear the Red Devils have the ‘financial capacity’ to do a deal.