According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via Sport Witness), several big clubs in Europe are paying great attention to Sporting CP midfielder Bruno Fernandes (not to be confused with his Athletico counterpart, Bruno Guimarães).
The 24-year-old Portuguese international is putting the final touches on his impressive season, having now scored 28 goals and added 15 assists in 48 matches across all competitions for Sporting.
Bruno Fernandes | Liverpool and Chelsea join ‘auction’ to sign midfielder – 28 goals and 15 assists this season. https://t.co/zAul9CFphj #lfc #cfc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) April 25, 2019
Most reports have Bruno going to either Manchester United or Manchester City, but O Jogo’s report claims interest from Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain as well. Either way, Sporting and Bruno’s agents are set to benefit through either an “auction” for his services or one of those teams paying the €100 million release clause in his contract.
Looking at the example of Éder Militão, who will leave Porto for Real Madrid after only one season, Sporting will be hoping for a similar scenario to play out. Real agreed to pay Éder Militão’s €50 million release clause less than twelve months after he made the jump from Brazil for just €4m. In fact, São Paulo will collect more from the future sale percentage clause in that transfer (10 per cent, so €5m), than the original price they got from Porto.
Sporting acquired Bruno Fernandes for €8.5m from Sampdoria two summer ago.
It would appear that the Portuguese League’s business model / talent factory remains alive and well.