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The Portuguese giants unloaded the midfielder in January in an agreement worth up to € 65 million, but since then sales prices have fallen due to the Covid-19 crisis
Manchester United may have paid more than double for the acquisition of Bruno Fernandes in January compared to what it would be worth now in the current financial climate, says Sporting C.P. President Federico Varandas.
The Red Devils moved to close a long-running saga during the winter window by adding an international Portugal midfielder to their books.
Fernandes has had an immediate impact on English football, and many quickly suggested that United got a good deal at an initial payout of € 55 million (£ 47m / $ 60m).
That deal could end up costing the Premier League giants a lot more in various add-ons, but they’ll be happy to pay if the talented 25-year-olds can maintain current standards.
It is unlikely that Old Trafford’s are too concerned about the fact that they could have secured Fernandes for much less if they had chosen not to secure his signature mid-season.
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced clubs around the world to squeeze their pockets, while the bottom is expected to fall from a market that had been inflated by Neymar’s record move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
Varandas also acknowledges this, with his opinion that Fernandes’ sale price could have been cut in half.
He said SIC: “The crisis caused by Covid-19 hurts the European football industry in general.
“But, of all the countries, Portugal is the most affected, because 50 percent of the income comes from the sale of players
“The [Fernandes] It was sold for 65 million euros in January. Today, how much would he be worth? Maybe 20 million euros? € 30m? Nobody knows.”
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While Sporting is happy to have obtained the best possible price for Fernandes, it is currently in a battle with Sampdoria on the Serie A side over an alleged 10 percent sale clause.
A FIFA spokesperson said of that dispute: “We can confirm that on April 3, 2020, the Italian club, Sampdoria, filed a claim with FIFA against the Portuguese club, Sporting Clube de Portugal, regarding the financial obligations established in the contract corresponding to the transfer of the Portuguese player, Bruno Fernandes.
“The matter is currently being investigated and as a consequence we are unable to provide further comment.”
