Tottenham Hotspur held talks with the agent of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes this week in a move that could force Manchester United to make a final decision on the Portugal international.

Miguel Pinho is believed to have met with Spurs officials in London on Wednesday as the north London club weigh up a move for the highly regarded 24-year-old.

Tottenham also have a firm interest in Giovani Lo Celso, the Real Betis and Argentina midfielder, and remain hopeful of signing one of those two targets amid serious doubts over the future of Christian Eriksen.

United met with Pinho in London around two months ago but their immediate priority is to strike a deal with Crystal Palace for the England Under-21 right back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, in what is proving a protracted negotiation, before pressing ahead with moves for midfield targets.

Old Trafford officials are thought to have informed the Fernandes camp within the past fortnight that they needed some more time in order to close a deal for a right back and asked to be kept abreast of any movement on the Portuguese.