Sporting Lisbon have rejected a €35m (£31m) bid from Manchester United for midfielder Bruno Fernandes, according to reports in the Italian media.

The Portuguese club are said to be holding out for at least double that figure, with an asking price believed to be set around the £60m to £70m mark.

United are reportedly focused on bringing in a new central midfielder now they have signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace.

Fernandes and Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff are believed to be the priority targets, although there was a bizarre report yesterday of the Manchester club’s interest in Aston Villa’s John McGinn.

Fernandes, in particular, has been on a number of Premier League teams’ radar this summer with Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham also having been linked.

The Portuguese international had an impressive season at club level, scoring 32 goals and contributing 18 assists in 53 appearances.

Fernandes is still 24 years of age and would certainly fit into United’s policy of signing young players who have potential to grow in the future.