Real Madrid have reportedly met with the agent of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes to discuss a potential deal before the European transfer window closes on September 2.
Fernandes was strongly linked with moves to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur during the summer.
The English transfer deadline passed with the Portugal international still at Sporting, though, and neither club will be able to sign the 24-year-old until the start of 2020.
Madrid have also been credited with an interest, however, with Fernandes seen as an alternative to United midfielder Paul Pogba, who is widely expected to remain at Old Trafford despite a summer of speculation.
According to Goal.com, a representative from Los Blancos met with the Sporting midfielder's agent in recent days, where it was revealed that the playmaker would be available for €80m (£72.5m).
The Portuguese has scored once and provided four assists in four appearances for the Lions in the early stages of the 2019-20 campaign.
Matt Law
