Manchester City Close To Signing Portuguese Sensation: Why Pep Needs Him Next Season

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are set to sign another hot prospect in Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes, as per The Guardian. The Portuguese international has been tracked by several big clubs, including Manchester United, but is set to move to the blue side of Manchester in the summer transfer window. According to the report, City made a £47.2 million bid recently which could see the Portuguese international join the 2017-18 Premier League champions.

24-year-old Fernandes is a highly-rated attacking midfielder who has been Sporting CP’s best player this season, scoring a mind-boggling 27 goals and notching 14 assists in the season in all competitions.

Fernandes previously played for Italian clubs Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria, before returning to his homeland and signing for Sporting CP in 2017, where he has been a revelation.

He finished last season with 16 goals in all competitions but has doubled his tally this year.

How will Bruno Fernandes fit in?

Capable of playing in central midfield or further forward as an attacking midfielder behind the striker, Fernandes has dragged Sporting CP to a top three position almost single-handedly, being involved in around 40% of their goals this season.

An all-round player, the 24-year-old is a fantastic crosser and passer of the ball, while he can also drift past midfield opponents in a flash. His ability to dictate play from midfield will have impressed Guardiola, who, in particular, has a penchant for highly skilled and technical midfield players. There are very few flaws in his game at the moment, as he has also shown that he can get stuck in and run up and down the pitch for the team’s cause.

Although Manchester City need a defensive midfielder to eventually replace the ever-reliable Fernandinho, Fernandes could be the eventual successor to David Silva in the Manchester City team, pulling strings in midfield, creating chances, and scoring vital goals. With Ilkay Gundogan rumoured to leave Manchester City, Fernandes could be the player that replaces the German in the City team next season.

Manchester City are looking likely to strengthen their squad over the summer in an attempt to win the elusive Champions League, which is the trophy that Guardiola will desperately want. City have also been linked with the signing of another Portuguese talent, 19-year-old Joao Felix, who could move from Benfica to Manchester City in the summer.