ClapBruno Fernandes’ situation at Sporting Lisbon has alarmed some top clubs across Europe. The Portuguese is expected to be at the centre of a transfer saga that is currently involving two English rivals in Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Reports continue to speculate and contradict each other for as to who is in the driving seat for the Portugal international, as Manchester City already seem to have backed out of the race due to excessive financial demands from Sporting in a possible deal.
But United and Spurs too would be top class destinations for the midfielder, who was sensational for Sporting this past season. In 33 league appearances, Fernandes scored as many as 20 times from midfield. It was capped off by a dominating end to the season and a brilliant second half of the campaign.
It is very obvious how he is being seen as by Spurs and United. The London club see him as a replacement for Real Madrid-linked Christian Eriksen, while United see him as a replacement for Los Blancos and Juventus linked Paul Pogba.
It isn’t clear as whether Pogba or Eriksen would leave but Fernandes fits the bill perfectly for being seen as replacements for two world-class midfield talents.
With Sporting demanding around 70 million euros, both clubs won’t have problems paying that much once their star midfielders leave. But Tottenham would provide more of an assurance of what a player like him would ideally want.
Spurs have an identity- a plan going forward into the future. Even if Eriksen leaves, they will retain their identity because Mauricio Pochettino loves it that way. Fernandes boasts of immense energy on and off the ball in the heart of the park and in a system that relies on pressing high up the pitch, he could prove to be a pressing trigger that sets the press off.
He boasts of more goals from midfield from Eriksen did and even without players like Dele Alli, Harry Kane or Son, he is someone who can take responsibility and get into attacking areas to create and score. He would add a new variety to the midfield by being that dynamic one to shuffle things up when things aren’t going right.
Even otherwise, Spurs are keen to sign midfielders in the summer. What better way to start their spending spree than target Fernandes.
But it stability and a plan that United lack currently. They don’t know what way the club will play under Ole Solskjaer and even though replacing Pogba will lead to him playing regularly, he too is a player that relies on having the attacking freedom to create. Going by that argument, there is a chance that United may not be as good a choice as Spurs.
Pochettino’s men are also looking at Giovani Lo Celso, who reportedly wants to move to Spurs. While the Argentine will be a better player, Fernandes will never be a bad option at all. The passion he often shows on the pitch is something that Pochettino loves.
