Manchester United are reported to hold an interest in Benfica's Gedson Fernandes, as the midfielder's representatives land in the UK looking to find him a new club.
United are believed to be in the market to recruit midfield talent, with Paul Pogba continuing to struggle with injury, and links with Christian Eriksen have recently resurfaced as we approach the reopening of the transfer window.
Sporting CP's Bruno Fernandes was of course famously close to a move in the summer, but it's another Lisbon-based Fernandes who United are now said to be looking at.
That's because Sky Sports report on Monday that the Red Devils hold a vested interest in the signature of Benfica midfielder Gedson, who could move to the UK next month as his representatives are currently in England looking to negotiate a move for the 20-year-old.
He has made 58 appearances for the Portuguese champions after progressing through their youth ranks, but has recently fallen out of favour, and hasn't started a league game since October - being left out of their last three altogether.
It's expected that he will leave sooner rather than later, and though he has a £102m release clause in his contract, Benfica aren't thought to be holding out for that fee for a player who is firmly out of the first-team picture at present.
Instead, it's believed his representatives are offering a loan deal for the remainder of the season, with a £34m option to buy that could see him leave permanently in the summer.
United are said to be among the parties interested in bringing him in, and at just 20 years old, it certainly seems as if he fits the bill for what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he is looking for in new signings.
"Targets that we’re looking at, they’re long-term targets," Solskjaer said earlier this month. "If there’s something popping up that might be as a short-term, maybe. But we’re always thinking long term."
Whether or not Fernandes is considered a talent worth going in for, then, remains to be seen - but his may be a name worth earmarking for the weeks ahead.
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Source : 90min