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Porto midfielder Fernando has emerged as a major target for Manchester United and could head to Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window.

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the tenacious Brazilian, who recently became a Portuguese citizen - negating the need for a work permit - could be set to join David Moyes' side ahead of Friday's deadline.

The 26-year-old has been with Porto since 2007, and was a key part of Andre-Villas Boas' treble-winning side in 2010-11.

He, has continued to be an automatic pick since, and has been vital at the heart of Paulo Fonseca's midfield this term.

Nonetheless, despite A Bola's claims, there is no guarantee that Porto chairman Pinto da Costa - notorious for securing the best possible deal - will allow the player to depart.

Porto sold Argentine Lucho Gonzalez at the weekend and, having lost a central midfielder, subsequently rejected Fulham's advances for Belgium international Steven Defour.