There is only so much time Manchester United should spend pursuing Bruno Fernandes. If a deal cannot be struck, Nabil Fekir would make an excellent alternative.
Sky Sports detailed the complicated negotiations with Sporting which could hamper a deal for Fernandes.
Meanwhile French World Cup winner Fekir is available from Lyon and would be a quality alternative.
Here are three reasons why United should look to Fekir…
Price and availability
James Maddison would be an excellent alternative to Fernandes, but the Leicester ace would also cost near to £60 million.
Fekir is reportedly available for just £30 million, The Sun report, with Lyon conceding they cannot hold him back any longer.
In this market, it’s a snip and the sort of value which would actually see United’s strategy praised.
Quality
Fekir at 25 has his best years ahead of him and last season scored nine goals and provided seven assists.
The year before he was even more prolific, netting 18 goals from midfield and setting up nine.
This is the sort of creative influence United need and he could link up well with French colleagues Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.
Rattling Liverpool
Liverpool came close to signing Fekir for £53 million last summer before Lyon pulled the plug.
Their fans still lust after him and seeing him sign for United could spark a meltdown.
More than that, objectively, Liverpool’s judgement with transfers has been shrewd in recent seasons. Following their lead in chasing Fekir could actually be a good call, especially to get him for a fraction of the price.
Read more: Who is the £36m winger United want to sign?
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