Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon 'set to meet in the middle by settling on fee of £47m plus bonuses for Bruno Fernandes'

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Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon are reportedly set to 'meet in the middle' over a deal for Bruno Fernandes as they could settle on a fee of £46.9million (€55m) plus bonuses.

United are eager to sign the midfielder before the end of this month but Sporting were demanding a fee of £68m.

As reported by Plataforma, United were only willing to pay £42.5m up front but have since returned with an improved offer. 

Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon are set to 'meet in the middle' over Bruno Fernandes

The two clubs could press ahead with a deal worth £46.9m plus bonuses for the midfielder

The report indicates that the deal was close to collapsing but is now likely to happen.

Fernandes played the entirety of Sporting's 2-0 defeat by Benfica on Friday and trained with his team-mates on Monday.

It is anticipated that he will feature in the Taca da Liga clash against Braga on Tuesday too.

The Portugal international has scored 15 goals and provided 13 assists in 27 appearances for Sporting this season across all competitions.

It is believed that the 25-year-old is eager to seal a move to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, who have been tracking him since last summer.

The deal was previously close to collapsing as United were only willing to pay £42.5million

Fernandes trained with Sporting on Monday and could feature against Braga on Tuesday

He has scored 15 goals and provided 13 assists for Sporting in all competitions this season

The midfielder has has also been a target for Tottenham in recent times but it is Old Trafford where he would be most likely to move to in this window.

Previously, United have been around £20million short of the Portuguese club's asking price and have fewer than two weeks to thrash out a deal to boost their chances of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Although United were prepared to make up a shortfall in the valuation with a series of 'add-ons' in the deal, Sporting were unhappy with the terms of this which they think are unrealistic. However, it appears that those fears have been allayed somewhat by the latest developments.

Fernandes is understood to be furious with not being allowed to join United though, who have had a bid already turned down.

The midfielder believes he has earned his move to Old Trafford having stayed loyal to his club in the summer transfer window. 

Fernandes has been left frustrated at the lack of movement regarding his switch to United

The Portugal international played the entirety of Sporting's 2-0 defeat by Benfica on Friday

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will hope to land Fernandes to boost hopes of a top four push