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Report: Fernandes' move to Manchester United on brink of collapse

Gualter Fatia / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Bruno Fernandes' transfer to Manchester United is on the verge of falling apart due to Sporting CP's high demands, sources told ESPN's Rob Dawson.

Sporting are reportedly asking United to fork over an initial €65 million for the Portuguese midfielder and an additional €15 million in add-ons. That fee is significantly higher than the €45 million they quoted Tottenham last summer, leaving United perplexed by the sudden increase.

Sources say United are willing to wait until the coming summer to retool Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's midfield, even with Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay expected to miss time with injuries.

United reportedly agreed to terms with Fernandes over a transfer earlier this week. On Thursday, it appeared the Red Devils were prepared to pay as much as €60 million for the 25-year-old, but that is still considerably less than Sporting's latest valuation.

Additionally, Sporting seemed ready to accept Marcos Rojo in a deal with United, but sources say the Argentine is unconvinced by a return to his former club.

Spurs apparently sent officials to Lisbon in the summer to negotiate a deal for Fernandes, but they opted to bring in Giovani Lo Celso instead on the final day of the transfer window. The north London club continued to reinforce its midfield with the signing of Gedson Fernandes from Benfica on an 18-month loan deal.

Amid all the rumors, Fernandes played the full 90 minutes in Friday's Lisbon derby, which Sporting lost to Benfica 2-0.

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