Fernandes at centre of FIFA probe amid Sporting Lisbon transfer dispute

Bruno Fernandes’ move to Manchester United is at the heart of a transfer dispute that sees former club Sporting Lisbon facing a FIFA probe.

Italian side Sampdoria claimed that they are owed £4million following his January switch, and have made world football’s governing body aware of the situation.

Sampdoria sold Fernandes to Sporting in 2017 in a £7.5million deal after a successful season.

The Italian side claim that they are owed 10 per cent of any future profit made on the Portugal international, owing to terms of that deal.

Fernandes was sold to United in January for an initial fee of £47million rising to a potential £67m.

The Portuguese club are understood to be cash-strapped amid the coronavirus crisis and last month saw a German bank block a much-need payment amid the current global financial situation.

But that issue is unrelated to this, with Sporting simply believing that they owe Sampdoria nothing.

Fernandes unilaterally rescinded his contract one year after moving the Lisbon – in a move similar to Rui Patricio, Daniel Podence and Gelson Martins – after Sporting players were attacked at the club’s training ground by their own fans.

But while teammates departed, Fernandes duly re-signed with Sporting, who believe that he was duly signed a second time as a free agent, thus meaning they don’t owe the Serie A side a cut.

According to A Bola, the club’s are in contact and litigation has begun with FIFA keeping abreast of the situation.

The dispute between Sampdoria and Sporting makes little difference to United, whose fans have been delighted with their signing so far.

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Fernandes scored twice and assisted three times in his first five Premier League games, also picking up the Premier League Player of the Month award for February.