United are badly in need of midfield reinforcements due to long-term injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay. Fernandes, 25, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for many months, but United was previously unwilling to meet Sporting’s 80 million euro valuation (£67 million, $88 million). A deal has reportedly now been agreed for an initial fee of 55 million euros with another 25 million euros in performance-related add-ons. Fernandes has scored 63 goals in 137 appearances for Sporting since returning to his homeland after spells with Udinese and Sampdoria in Italy. Even if he is signed in time, Fernandes would not be eligible to face Manchester City in the second leg of United’s League Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Source: The Guardian January 29, 2020 05:03 UTC