Bruno Fernandes has informed Sporting Lisbon he would like to join Manchester United this month if a deal can be struck between the clubs.

Ed Woodward, the United executive vice-chairman, and Matt Judge, the head of corporate development, held talks over the attacking midfielder with the Sporting Lisbon president, Frederico Varandas, at the club’s Stratton Street offices in London’s Mayfair on Friday morning.

Negotiations are continuing, with Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese super agent, understood to be involved in helping to broker a deal. Fernandes remains hopeful an agreement can be reached.

Sporting were initially thought to be looking for as much as €80 million (£68.5m) for Fernandes but United are believed to value the 25-year-old - who has 67 goals in 133 appearances for the Portuguese club - at closer to £50m.

Tottenham looked tentatively at Fernandes last summer but ended up signing Giovani Lo Celso on loan from Real Betis and Sporting’s hopes of creating an auction for their player this month were damaged by Spurs’ pursuit of Benfica’s Gedson Fernandes.

United have kept their cards close to their chest but Sporting are known to be pushing for a deal as they seek to raise cash to ease some of their financial difficulties.