Manchester United can now sign Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon after Manchester City abandoned the race to sign the forward.
City were interested in Fernandes, who could be available for £50million this summer.
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According to The Sun, United’s chances of signing the 31-goal midfielder have been massively boosted by City’s decision to shelve their move for Fernandes.
Pep Guardiola is focusing all of City’s transfer efforts on Atletico Madrid’s Rodri and believes he can take over from key midfielder Fernandinho.
Guardiola’s search for a long-term replacement for Fernandinho looks set to end with the signing of Rodri after the City boss missed out on Fred to the Red Devils and Jorginho to Chelsea last year.
Because of the move for Rodri, City are cooling their interest in the Portuguese, handing the initiative to Man Utd.
Fernandes has a buy-out clause of £86m in his contract but is projected to go for £50m if a bidding war for the goalscorer fails to materialise this summer.
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The 24-year-old has also chipped in with 14 assists and is current contract doesn't wind down until 2023.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
