United left baffled by issues in battle for Fernandes deal
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer says United will not relinquish control of transfer negotiations amid uncertainty over a possible deal for Bruno Fernandes.
The Reds are baffled Sporting Lisbon suddenly increased their valuation of the 25-year-old to £68m last week with no explanation.
Despite frenzied speculation that Fernandes had agreed personal terms, United and Sporting are ‘nowhere near’ an agreement, but could resume talks this week.
There is concern at Old Trafford about the ramifications a possible £68m deal for Fernandes could have on their summer business, setting a benchmark that could inflate the valuations of other targets, such as James Maddison of Leicester City.
Fernandes signed a new contract with Sporting in November until 2023 and reputedly has a 100m euro release clause but Sporting are desperate to sell.
United have been burnt by forging alliances with ‘super-agents’ Jorge Mendes and Mino Raiola since Ed Woodward assumed the executive vice-chairman post in 2013 and have operated more tentatively in the last two summer windows.
They decided against a move for Fernandes in the summer and M.E.N. Sport reported in August Mendes had touched base with Fernandes with the promise of a transfer this year.
“You know that discussion,” Solskjaer said when asked if United should make a stand over inflated fees. “Of course, we don’t want to inflate the prices. I think that is important - that we use common sense.
“There are other things, too, when you sign players, that you have to keep in control.
“You can’t give agents the control by giving buyout clauses and stuff. That has been touted around.
“For me, we have to be in control.”