Bruno Fernandes

[JKendall13]

Another thing, we have three pieces of ITK now (Breezer, Rebarb, and the Goat) saying they've heard it's been done in the past few days, presumably negotiations finalized or very near. Yet, the Portuguese media are still reporting denied bids and that Sporting are holding out for €70m.

What that says to me, is like NDombele, I wouldn't be surprised if when news about the actual fee comes out it's a good bit lower than €70m. Sporting trying to control the narrative of getting the fee they were demanding.

 

[Basil Brush]

No way this deal is close.


We are only at 94 pages. We barely sign anyone before 100 pages.

 

[wiggo24]

Saying he lacks physicality betrays your lack of having seen him, he's great at using his body to shield the ball and role a player. Add in that he has very quick feet to dribble past someone, and can pass through really tight angles without much thought, and you've got a player who can adapt to the lack of space in the premier league.

As for the age, he's the same age as Deco was when he left the Portuguese league. It may not be a top league, but it's not bloody Cyprus.

With regards to the quick feet, every time I've seen him (which is, to be fair, maybe 5-10 full games and a handful of match compilations) he occasionally gets out of tight spaces in the same way as Salah, with the weird ricocheting ball technique which seems to be fairly effective. I'm not sure he has the explosiveness to truly drive away from players though once he's done this, so I don't think he's the press-resistant midfielder you're making him out to be.

With the passing through tight angles, I'd argue that this again links to his freedom to do pretty much whatever he wants on the pitch. This includes those risky passes, but also explains why his pass completion percentages are so low. It's not like Ndombele who's got that knack of passing round the corner of players consistently.

Anyway, my point isn't that he's a bad player - he's clearly very talented, with a superb striking technique and good hustle. My concerns are more with whether he suits the Prem in general, where top deeper-lying midfielders do have to have some dynamism, as well as our squad. His best role is the same as the role Alli occupies, and I'd argue Alli has a far higher ceiling. To put them in the same team, he'd have to perhaps join a deeper midfield two or three, which is where I don't think his skills will immediately translate. Hence, I'm not sure where he truly fits. Just my opinion though!

 

[Wsussexspur]

Reckon we are going to end up with one of BF,GLC or PD. With by sounds of it bf most likely. Bit weird to be disappointed with this really.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Reckon we are going to end up with one of BF,GLC or PD. With by sounds of it bf most likely. Bit weird to be disappointed with this really.

I think its Sess and BF only

 

[Basil Brush]

With regards to the quick feet, every time I've seen him (which is, to be fair, maybe 5-10 full games and a handful of match compilations) he occasionally gets out of tight spaces in the same way as Salah, with the weird ricocheting ball technique which seems to be fairly effective. I'm not sure he has the explosiveness to truly drive away from players though once he's done this, so I don't think he's the press-resistant midfielder you're making him out to be.

With the passing through tight angles, I'd argue that this again links to his freedom to do pretty much whatever he wants on the pitch. This includes those risky passes, but also explains why his pass completion percentages are so low. It's not like Ndombele who's got that knack of passing round the corner of players consistently.

Anyway, my point isn't that he's a bad player - he's clearly very talented, with a superb striking technique and good hustle. My concerns are more with whether he suits the Prem in general, where top deeper-lying midfielders do have to have some dynamism, as well as our squad. His best role is the same as the role Alli occupies, and I'd argue Alli has a far higher ceiling. To put them in the same team, he'd have to perhaps join a deeper midfield two or three, which is where I don't think his skills will immediately translate. Hence, I'm not sure where he truly fits. Just my opinion though!

I also believe he seems like a Dele Alli clone, but not sure if he is as good as Dele

 

[Timberwolf]

Another thing, we have three pieces of ITK now (Breezer, Rebarb, and the Goat) saying they've heard it's been done in the past few days, presumably negotiations finalized or very near. Yet, the Portuguese media are still reporting denied bids and that Sporting are holding out for €70m.

What that says to me, is like NDombele, I wouldn't be surprised if when news about the actual fee comes out it's a good bit lower than €70m. Sporting trying to control the narrative of getting the fee they were demanding.

I've read in a few places that Sporting are very keen to have the fee reported as high as possible. With Benfica making €120M off Felix, Sporting want to make as big a statement as possible for PR purposes and to appease their fans.

 

[FinnYid]

Another thing, we have three pieces of ITK now (Breezer, Rebarb, and the Goat) saying they've heard it's been done in the past few days, presumably negotiations finalized or very near. Yet, the Portuguese media are still reporting denied bids and that Sporting are holding out for €70m.

They are also reporting ManU negotiating with Mendes and with Sporting. Hope it doesn't end up like Willian with our end looking to open champagne bottles while player is heading to different location altogether.

 

[spursfan77]

I saw an article somewhere that said if Sporting received a bid of over €35m and it was turned down that fernandes got a payout and increase salary. So I agree, I think the price will be less than those quoted in the media.

 

[JKendall13]

I've read in a few places that Sporting are very keen to have the fee reported as high as possible. With Benfica making €120M off Felix, Sporting want to make as big a statement as possible for PR purposes and to appease their fans.

Well, unfortunately for them it seems like the only concrete offer they have is from a football club run by a man who seems to get sadomasochistic erotic pleasure from counting every pence in a football transfer and might be in Miami currently negotiating in a gimp suit.

 

[Timberwolf]

I also believe he seems like a Dele Alli clone, but not sure if he is as good as Dele

He seems quite different to me. They might operate in similar areas but Fernandes is FAR more likely to score from range whereas Dele's goals tend to come from him finding pockets of space in the box to score headers and more close range shots.

I can't even remember the last time Dele scored from outside the box.

 

[rossdapep]

I said the other day that the club would be smart to push deals to the line and then move accordingly.

With just over 24 hours to go the club need to have everything in place, therefore it makes sense to have Fernandes scheduled to come today/tomorrow morning (as Breezer states) in case things elsewhere don't pan out.

Would be interesting to see what happens if our Lo Celso and Dybala ventures are secured before then.

 

[dimiSpur]

SSN were reporting that he was to meet with their club president to discuss things. That would lead one to believe any deal is actually quite far off yet.

 

[Ben1]

I said the other day that the club would be smart to push deals to the line and then move accordingly.

With just over 24 hours to go the club need to have everything in place, therefore it makes sense to have Fernandes scheduled to come today/tomorrow morning (as Breezer states) in case things elsewhere don't pan out.

Would be interesting to see what happens if our Lo Celso and Dybala ventures are secured before then.

This. I wouldn't necessarily say the Fernandes deal is 100% on, I imagine there's plates being spun. And i'd hazard a guess we're mainly waiting for the Dybala plate to fall.

Maybe this is what acting like a big club is, messing around half of Europe, because you need to look after yourself, with a plan A, B, C and D.

 

[Kraji]

I saw an article somewhere that said if Sporting received a bid of over €35m and it was turned down that fernandes got a payout and increase salary. So I agree, I think the price will be less than those quoted in the media.

Sporting has to pay €5M to BF if they reject a bid over €35M.

 

[spursfan77]

Sporting has to pay €5M to BF if they reject a bid over €35M.

That was it.

 

[George94]

Sporting has to pay €5M to BF if they reject a bid over €35M.

If they have to pay Fernandes €5M after rejecting a bid from us, that was supposedly €5M short of their valuation, why didn't they just accept our offer?

 

[rossdapep]

This. I wouldn't necessarily say the Fernandes deal is 100% on, I imagine there's plates being spun. And i'd hazard a guess we're mainly waiting for the Dybala plate to fall.

Maybe this is what acting like a big club is, messing around half of Europe, because you need to look after yourself, with a plan A, B, C and D.

Absolutely.

Also, we've had no info to say a deal has been agreed, just to say he is expected at the club. I have a feeling Sporting have given him permission to come and have a medical in the event that we do indeed agree a fee. If, pretty please, something significant happens with Dybala and Lo Celso we would be in a position to put the blocks on this one and Fernandes/Sporting won't be too upset as they can still find buyers from Europe.

Of course it could work the other way, Fernandes comes for the medical and in the meantime deals aren't working out elsewhere so we thrash out a deal knowing we are all set up to sign.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Absolutely.

Also, we've had no info to say a deal has been agreed, just to say he is expected at the club. I have a feeling Sporting have given him permission to come and have a medical in the event that we do indeed agree a fee. If, pretty please, something significant happens with Dybala and Lo Celso we would be in a position to put the blocks on this one and Fernandes/Sporting won't be too upset as they can still find buyers from Europe.

Of course it could work the other way, Fernandes comes for the medical and in the meantime deals aren't working out elsewhere so we thrash out a deal knowing we are all set up to sign.

No way is a medical booked without a feee being agreed that would be a complete waste of time.

 

[rossdapep]

No way is a medical booked without a feee being agreed that would be a complete waste of time.

Not when you've got less than a little over 24 hours to go.