Sporting Lisbon captain Bruno Fernandes spent most of the summer being linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United close to making a bid for him, and Tottenham also tracking the progress of the 25 year old.
And although no transfer subsequently materialised, he had been mentioned again as a possible target for United again when the window opens again in January.
However, all such speculation is now at an end after the midfielder signed a new deal with the Portuguese club, who were rumoured to be ready to sell him to solve a short-term financial crisis.
As a result, although the length of his contract with Sporting remains the same – it is due to expire in June 2023, his release clause has been increased from £65 million to £85 million, meaning that any clubs wanting to move for him will be deterred by the extra cost involved.
