Bruno Fernandes is not a primary target for Manchester City this summer to pave the way for Manchester United to have a clear run at the Sporting midfielder, reports The Sun.
Fernandes is enjoying a breathtaking campaign for Sporting and reports emerged in the last week claiming City were on the verge of signing the Portugal international in a deal worth around £50m.
It was thought Pep Guardiola had earmarked Fernandes as a potential replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who is weighing up his future at the Eithad.
United were first linked with a move for the 24-year-old but appeared to have paid the price for hesitating on a deal for the all-action Sporting midfielder.
It was claimed that after signing Fernandes, City would move their attention to Benfica wonderkid Joao Felix, who is another target for their neighbourhood rivals.
However, it has now emerged those reports are not correct and City’s main midfield target is Atletico Madrid ace Rodri.
After missing out on Fred and Jorginho 12 months ago, Guardiola is determined to sign Fernandinho’s long-term replacement and is willing to allocate a large portion of his budget to do so.
Fernandes is on course to finish the season as the highest WhoScored rated player in Liga NOS, having remarkably played a direct hand in 32 goals in 31 league games from midfield (19 goals, 13 assists).
