02.09.2019 | Author: Amir Bashir

Real Madrid set to announce £64m signing today

The player was also chased by Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes transfer to Manchester United might be in jeopardy — LISBON, PORTUGAL - AUGUST 5: Bruno Fernandes of Sporting CP in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting CP and Empoli FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on August 5, 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Real Madrid are on the verge of completing a £64m deal for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes in the dying stages of European transfer window.

As per reports, the 13-time European Champions will announce the capture of the 24-year-old Portuguese midfielder today (Monday).

Fernandes, whose signature was chased by the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United all summer, recently revealed that a move to Spurs fell through after both the clubs failed to reach an agreement over the transfer fee.

His capture is a major transfer coup for Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane who was in the transfer market for an attacking midfielder all summer.

Zidane: Madrid aren't done in the transfer market yet

Am 4. Januar 2016 übernahm Zidane Reals erste Mannschaft - und gewann gleich im ersten Jahr die Champions League. Foto: Getty Images

In the build-up to his team’s drab 2-2 draw at Villarreal – one which now sees Real Madrid 4 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, Zidane had excited Real Madrid fans by claiming that anything can happen on the transfer deadline day.

“Until Monday at midnight, anything can happen. One bomb, two bombs…” Zidane said when asked if there could still be a “bomba” (surprise) before the deadline. “We’ll see. The important thing is tomorrow’s game (against Villarreal).”

The game which Zidane was mentioning in his press-conference didn’t went according to plan as despite coming twice from behind, the Los Blancos were unable to find a winning goal.

Furthermore, with Zidane taking off Toni Kroos in the final stages of the game as his side chased a winner, it was clear for everyone to see that the French manager is in need of a new midfielder to uplift his squad.

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Who will Bruno Fernandes replace in the Real Madrid starting XI

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - OCTOBER 06: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid CF looks on during the La Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de Mendizorroza on October 6, 2018 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

With a number of European powerhouses after his signature, nobody can doubt that Fernandes has what it takes to succeed at a huge club like Real Madrid.

Fernandes likes to play further up the pitch in a manner which creates chances for the attackers, though he can also play through balls as well as shoot from distance.

Ironically, the midfielder to which Fernandes has beem compared the most during his playing days at Sporting Lisbon, Tony Kroos, is the same whose place Ferndnes might take in the Real Madrid squad.

With the German World Cup winner out of form, Zidane will be urged by the fans to replace him straight away with the new signing. However, having seen in the past how Zidane deals with new signings, it might be after a few weeks of training before Fernandes gets his place in the Real Madrid starting XI.