Spurs jump ahead of Man Utd in Bruno Fernandes transfer chase but are £9m short of Sporting’s £64m asking price

TOTTENHAM have leapfrogged Manchester United in the £65million chase for Bruno Fernandes, according to reports.

The Sporting Lisbon star’s agent has reportedly agreed a £106,000-a-week deal with the Champions League finalists.

Reports in Italy suggested Fernandes, 24, had agreed terms with United, but that has been played down by those in Portugal.

United have previously denied they are trying to sign the midfielder, but reports in his native country have constantly linked Fernandes to Old Trafford.

According to journalist Goncalo Lopes: “Today, Bruno and his agent have an agreement with @SpursOfficial. The Spurs, although, still have to reach one with @Sporting_CP.

“The last offer from @SpursOfficial: 50 + 10m. @Sporting want 70, at least.”

Sporting are so keen to get the £65m transfer fee quoted by their president Federico Varandas, they have got Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute agency on board to try and get the transfer over the line.

Mendes is currently in Manchester to negotiate David De Gea’s new Old Trafford contract – and it is feasible he could offer Fernandes to United as well.

Fernandes was one of Sporting’s better players as they lost 5-0 to fierce rivals Benfica on Sunday in the Portuguese Super Cup.

ON THE MENDES

He welled up again, just as he did in what appeared to be his final game at the Jose Alvalade a week earlier, with his final game for the club ending in a comprehensive hiding.

After the result, he even apologised to his own fans, who had booed and thrown objects at the losing players.

Fernandes wrote: “This is not a time for many words, it is not a time to raise our heads.

“It is a time to bow our heads and think about the mistakes we have made and that we should never make them again.

“It is the moment to think about what made us win, cups we won last year and that the unity and fellowship we had led us to these achievements!”