Manchester United bolster midfield with Fernandes signing

Manchester United have completed the signing of Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon on a five-and-a-half year contract, with an option to extend for another year, the Premier League club said on Thursday.

Sporting had said on Wednesday that United will pay an initial fee of nearly R900 million (€55 million) for the player, although the overall cost of the deal could increase with performance-related add-ons worth €25 million.

Fernandes recorded 63 goals and 52 assists in 137 appearances for Sporting, and had been linked with a move to Old Trafford over the last six months.

“We have been tracking Bruno for many months and everyone here has been tremendously impressed with all his attributes and what he will bring to this team,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

“Bruno’s goals and assists stats speak for themselves, he will be a fantastic addition to our team and he will help us push on in the second part of the season.

“The winter break is coming at a perfect time for us to integrate Bruno into the squad and for him to get to know his team mates.”

Fernandes has been capped 19 times by Portugal and was part of the squad that won the inaugural Nations League last year.

He becomes United’s first signing of the transfer window and will strengthen the midfield in the absence of injured Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.

“For me to now play for Manchester United feels incredible, I have worked hard to get to this moment and I can promise the fans that I will give everything for the badge to help bring us more success and trophies,” Fernandes said.

Other transfers

This Thursday was a busy in the transfer market, with the January window coming to a close.
Chelsea bid for Dries Mertens and could let Olivier Giroud join Tottenham if they pull off deal
Newcastle agree loan deal for Spurs’ Danny Rose
Everton reject stunning £85million bid from Barcelona for Richarlison
Arsenal confirm signing of former Manchester City defender Pablo Mari from Flamengo
Tottenham announce signing of Holland winger Steven Bergwijn from PSV Eindhoven for £25million.
Danny Rose has left Tottenham on loan and has joined Newcastle.
Barcelona aren’t going to sign a striker after all. Cedric Bakambu was close to signing for Barcelona in this window and the player himself even joked about this on Twitter.
Atletico Madrid have given up on Edinson Cavani and are going after Yannick Carrasco instead. Their former player is already in Madrid.
Paco Alcacer has completed his move to Villarreal.
Manchester City have reportedly beaten Barcelona to the signing of Coritiba right-back Yan Couto. – Marca.com and TalkSport.com