MANCHESTER UNITED have been given a lifeline to snapping up Bruno Fernandes in January – as his club Sporting Lisbon must clear 57million debt to balance their books.
The news will please United fans, who are desperate to get the highly-rated Portugal midfielder, who scored a sensational goal for Portugal in the 3-2 win against Luxembourg in last week’s Euro 2020 qualifier.
Fernandes, 25, was linked with a summer switch to Old Trafford.
Spurs chief Mauricio Pochettino is also after the player and CEO Daniel Levy could go back in for the goalscoring midfielder in January.
The Sporting captain reportedly said he wanted to join the Londoners in August.
Sporting are said to want around 65m for Fernandes.
That would totally wipe out their mounting debts and get them firmly back in the black.
And now United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to act quickly to complete a deal as soon as the window opens.
He has not replaced Ander Herrera, while Fred has still struggled to consistently find the form that prompted former boss Jose Mourinho to get the club to stump up 52m for his services.
Portuguese media outlet O Jogo claim Sporting are in trouble financially, so need to bring in 65 million euros before the end of February.
They owe Dijon 3.5m for defender Valentin Rossier and 5m to Atletico Madrid for Argentine striker Luciano Vietto.
But this is the tip of the iceberg as the Portuguese club owe 22.3m euros to other clubs, reports in Portugal claim.
Some 15m euros is owed to other companies, with a further 10.6m euros which must be paid to suppliers.
Finally, 19m euros is owed for stadium expenses, bonuses or to other creditors.
Fernandes is rated as the best player in the Portuguese league.
He has scored nine goals in just 20 appearances for club and country.
Chief Financial Officer Francisco Salgado Zenha has told the club they must find the 65m by the end of the winter – and the only way to do that is to sell Fernandes.
Tottenham want him as a replacement for Christian Eriksen.
