BRUNO FERNANDES has revealed he would have preferred to join Tottenham over Manchester United last year.
The Portuguese midfielder, 25, was the subject of an incredible transfer tug-of-war in the summer of 2019.
Bruno Fernandes has admitted he would have preferred to join Tottenham than Man Utd last summerCredit: EPA
Man Utd and Spurs both believed they were on the brink of signing the sought-after star.
Fernandes was even seen in tears on the Sporting Lisbon bench during a pre-season game against Valencia, believing he’d played his final game for the club.
But the playmaker extraordinaire stayed put – and even signed a new bumper contract.
Since then, Fernandes has been a near-ever-present for Sporting, scoring 12 times in 24 games for the club in all competitions.
Now Fernandes has lifted the lid on the whole saga – while admitting he’d have rather ended up at Spurs than United.
The Portuguese star revealed: “In the summer I thought I could leave. I believed it was a good time to leave due to many factors. I made the best time of my career to date.
“After the Nations League, there were already many contacts, especially with Tottenham.
“It was the team that wanted me the most and was the only one I agreed to talk with, because there were other clubs that didn’t interest me or whose project was not up to my expectations.
“Tottenham fit into everything I wish I had at that moment. It is an appealing championship.
“Knowing that Tottenham would be willing to pay for me and make every possible effort to take me, leaves a player eager to take that step.”
Explaining why he stayed at Sporting, Fernandes added: “I always kept my word that it was up to Sporting to decide whether or not to leave.
“Nothing changed my desire to be here and to want to stay here.
“Sporting nurtured me, gave me a lot. It was a source of great pride and honour to continue representing Sporting.
“Obviously, the transfer market moves any player, especially when we know which clubs are behind us or want us, but I’ve always tried to stay focused because the image I want to leave at Sporting is that.
“Until the last day I am here, I will always do my best and continue to do my best.”
Man Utd target Bruno Fernandes in tears after what appears to be Sporting goodbye
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
