Bruno Fernandes’ move to Manchester United is being investigated by FIFA after his former team Sampdoria lodged a complaint saying they are owed money from a sell-on clause.
Fernandes joined United in January for a fee of around £47m but Sampdoria, who sold the player to Sporting C.P. three years ago, are claiming they should have been paid around £4m of the fee due to a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
The 25-year-old spent one campaign at Sampdoria before joining Sporting in 2017 for £7.5m and they believe they are owed 10% of any profit made by the club relating to Fernandes’ move to the Premier League.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “We can confirm that on 3 April 2020 the Italian club, UC Sampdoria, lodged a claim with FIFA against the Portuguese club, Sporting Clube de Portugal, related to financial obligations set out in the contract corresponding to the transfer of the Portuguese player, Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes.
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“The matter is currently being investigated and consequently we cannot provide further comments.”
However, Manchester United are not liable for any of the money. And Fernandes has had an instant impact in Solskjaer’s team and has been credited for turning the club’s season around following improved performances after his arrival.
Fred claims the Portuguese midfielder has brought a calming influence to the midfield that had not been there before.
He told Brazilian outlet Trivela: “We were living in a very good phase [before the coronavirus pandemic], we were in a growing phase.
“We were doing very well in the Premier League, very well in the Europa League. We would have a chance to be champions [of the Europa League] before the stop.
“Our group got together a lot at the end, we started helping each other, with a different view of the game, and we grew up on the pitch. We started to get better together, and Bruno Fernandes’ arrival was important for us, giving a calm change to our midfield.
“But we must also give credit to Ole and our entire group, because we were on a very, very good rise.”
Bruno Fernandes had been back in Portugal with his family amid the coronavirus crisis, but it is reported he has already returned to Manchester as United look to get their overseas players to head back to England ahead of a potential return to training.
