Real Madrid enter race for Bruno Fernandes - reports

Real Madrid have entered the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes, according to reports in Portugal.

Fernandes has been heavily linked with Manchester United and all indications were that the 24-year-old midfielder would be going to Old Trafford.

And now many in the UK press are indicating that the North London club have overtaken the Red Devils in the race to sign the Sporting playmaker. 

However, Record reports that Real Madrid have come in at the last minute in a bid to snap up the sought-after Portugal international, in what would be a huge blow for the two Premier League clubs. 

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The Portuguese daily claims that Los Blancos have called upon super-agent Jorge Mendes to mediate talks between the parties and that Zidane has given his consent to the operation.

Real Madrid keeping tabs on Pogba alternative

Having already spent over 300 million euros this transfer window on the likes of Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy and Luka Jovic, Madrid are still desperate to add a midfielder to Zinedine Zidane’s squad.

Paul Pogba is Zidane’s number one priority but the club have been looking at alternatives should they fail to agree a deal with United, who are demanding a fee as high as 170 million euros for the French midfielder.

As reported by AS, Donny van de Beek is high on Madrid’s agenda as a Pogba ‘Plan B’, but Fernandes could also certainly be an interesting option for Madrid president Florentino Peréz.

As speculation over Fernandes’ future continues, what does seem certain is his exit from Lisbon. Following the club’s pre-season friendly against Valencia last Sunday, Fernandes could not hold back the tears at the end of the game as he apparently said his goodbyes to the home crowd at the Estadio José Alvalade. 

Fernandes is expected to play his last game for Sporting against Benfica in the Portuguese Super Cup on Sunday.