Liverpool, Everton may fight over Sporting's Bruno Fernandes

Posted Thursday, February 21, 2019 by ESPN

Another day, another transfer rumour involving a young star in Portugal. This time, instead of speculating over the possible future of young Benfica magician Joao Felix, there's a debate raging over where Sporting CP captain Bruno Fernandes will be lacing up his boots at the start of next season.

According to Portuguese daily Correio de Manha, the Liverpool target is set to be let loose on the European transfer market after Sporting finally came to the conclusion that they needed to cash in on him as soon as the transfer window swings open this summer.

Fernandes won't be short of suitors, with the 24-year-old midfielder having wowed in a Sporting side that has otherwise failed to live up to expectations. Both the red and blue halves of Merseyside were linked with a swoop for Fernandes in January, and Sporting's apparent readiness to sell could spark a bidding war between Liverpool and Everton.

Like Benfica, Sporting are canny operators -- ensuring that their players are on long contracts so the club are able to cash in when the time inevitably arrives for their biggest stars to head to loaded giants in Spain, Italy and England.

But Sporting's parlous financial position could force their hand when the bids come flying in. Bloomberg has reported that the Lisbon giants were €281 million in debt back in November and although Fernandes has a release clause of €100m in a contract that doesn't expire until 2023, they are likely to accept a far lower bid in an attempt to ease the furrowed brow of the club's concerned bank manager.