BRUNO FERNANDES is in talks with Real Madrid after the Spanish giants gave up their pursuit of Manchester United star Paul Pogba.
Zinedine Zidane had made the French World Cup winner, 26, his No1 target for the second-half of the summer window.
But they have been put off by United’s £180million valuation having already spent a fortune to sign the likes of Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic this window.
Now, Los Blancos will turn to ex-United target Fernandes after his blistering start to the 2019-20 season at Sporting.
Last weekend, Fernandes set up three goals in his side’s 3-1 win at Portimonense – including two assists in the first five minutes of the match.
Fernandes’ third assist was sublime too, with his cross-come-through ball falling perfectly for Raphinha who rifled into the back of the net to restore the two-goal cushion.
Just a day earlier, United fans had watched in disbelief as their side slumped to a 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had appeared to be on the brink of landing a £64m move for Fernandes, before both United and Tottenham, pulled out of negotiations.
That has left the door open for Real, who have until the window closes on September 2 to complete a deal.
Zidane is unlikely to rush into a move for Fernandes though, as he monitors Pogba’s situation at United.
The France star was subjected to vile racist abuse after missing a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Wolves, before the words “POGBA OUT” were crudely scrawled on a sign at United’s training ground.
With Pog himself revealing he wants a “new challenge” earlier this summer, Real are aware they could yet complete a cut-price deal should the midfielder force United’s hand.
Meanwhile, United are aiming to squirrel away as much money as they possibly can in order to go all-in on Jadon Sancho next summer.
Elsewhere, Chris Smalling is on the verge of joining Roma on a season-long loan, in a £3m deal.
