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Staggering. That’s the only word to describe Bruno Fernandes’ impact on Portugal’s top-flight this season and the stats that have come from it. The 24-year-old Sporting midfielder, who considers Rui Costa his chief influence, has been in sublime form, scoring 32 goals and creating 17 assists while collecting player of the month awards with almost predictable regularity.

With that in mind, it is no surprise to learn that he is the current Primeira Liga player of the year. It is little surprise either to discover that the free-scoring international is firmly on the radar of both Manchester City and Manchester United with the Blues in pole position according to the Metro.

Football Fancast delved a little deeper to find out what all the fuss is about.

Bernardo Silva, international team-mate

The sum it would take to bring the former Udinese and Sampdoria star to the Premier League varies enormously from publication to publication but certainly a buy-out clause in the region of £86m has been widely reported. As too is Sporting’s serious interest in one of Manchester City’s peripheral players, Douglas Luiz. Should this help reduce the fee and lure in City then clearly one of the Blues’ brightest talents Bernardo Silva would be delighted, saying recently, as per Talksport:

"He has had a fantastic season with many goals, many assists that are not normal for a player of his position. He has the best numbers and we’ll see what happens at the end of the season. He is a player who can play in other championships."

Sergio Pires, Portuguese journalist

Fernandes has been directly involved in just shy of half of Sporting’s goals this term and his goal-scoring prowess from deep has prompted heady comparisons with the very best of this type, as illustrated by a recent quote attributed to respected Portuguese journalist Sergio Pires, per the BBC:

"He has killer instinct for a midfielder. Fernandes is most like Lampard, quite similar to him in some aspects, but not as strong yet. He is intelligent, the team plays around him, he is their centre of gravity."

Marcel Keizer, Sporting Lisbon coach

Few know the Maia-born superstar-in-the-making better than the former Ajax coach Keizer, who can take a good deal of credit for Fernandes’ transformation to boot. Last month – as per Record – he was quick to praise the player’s other attributes in addition to the headline-making forward play.

"Bruno is a quality player, for me, not only for the goals, but also for the team player that he is. He makes a big difference. He's an example for all players, which is important not only in the goals but also to defend."

Verdict

Slight reservations persist after Fernandes struggled somewhat in Serie A but there is no disputing his phenomenal displays since returning back home. If Fernandes proves to be half the player of Bernardo Silva, it would make his securement a no-brainer.

Presently he is infinitely more than half the player Bernardo Silva is. Get him signed City.