Bruno Fernandes

As per a report from Portuguese outlet A Bola, Manchester City are inching closer to sealing a deal for highly-regarded Sporting CP star Bruno Fernandes.

Sporting standout

Fernandes, a gifted attack-minded midfielder, made the return to his home country of Portugal with Sporting in the summer of 2017, after a 5-year stint in Italy.

And to say that the 24-year-old has since gone on to establish himself as a key contributor at the José Alvalade Stadium would be putting it lightly.

Fernandes’ combination of eye for goal, set-piece prowess, creative flair and penchant for the spectacular have seen him emerge as one of Portuguese football’s leading talents over the last two seasons.

After directly contributing to over 30 goals across all competitions during his debut Sporting campaign, Fernandes has since gone on to notch an eye-catching 24 goals and 13 assists to this point in the current season.

Man City switch incoming?

As such, the 11-time capped international’s standout showings in the Portuguese capital have inevitably begun to catch the eye of some of European football’s biggest clubs.

Of the sides named as serious suitors of Fernandes, Premier League rivals Manchester United and Manchester City have been the most persistently-touted as potential destinations.

As per the aforementioned report from A Bola, though, it is the latter who hold a clear lead in the race for the midfielder’s signature.

Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes during the Liga NOS match between Sporting CP and Vitoria SC. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

City are set to hold a meeting with Sporting director Hugo Viana and super-agent Jorge Mendes in Manchester today.

During this discussion, initial talks over Fernandes making the move to the Etihad in the summer will take place.

Pep Guardiola is extremely keen on the Portuguese star’s signature, with a transfer inching closer to completion.

Fernandes’ Sporting contract contains a 100 million Euro buyout clause. However, this fee is said to be ‘purely indicative’, with a deal likely to be struck for a considerably-lower sum.

O Jogo, meanwhile, have backed A Bola’s claim that the Sporting star’s City switch is very much on the horizon:

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