FIFA investigating Fernandes transfer to United

Sky Sports reported that Italy’s Sampdoria inserted a 10% sell-on clause on any profit Sporting made on Fernandes when they sold him in 2017.

FIFA is investigating the transfer of midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United following a complaint from his former team Sampdoria, soccer’s world governing body has said.

The 25-year-old joined United from Sporting in January for an initial fee of 55 million euros (48 million pounds) and has registered three goals and four assists in nine games.

Sky Sports reported that Italy’s Sampdoria inserted a 10% sell-on clause on any profit Sporting made on Fernandes when they sold him in 2017.

However, the Portuguese club say that clause is null and void as the playmaker signed a fresh deal in June 2018 after terminating the original one.

“We can confirm that on April 3 the Italian club 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 ... Fernandes,” FIFA said in a statement released to British media.

Fernandes was one of a number of players who terminated their contracts at Sporting after a group of some 50 masked men attacked players and staff at the club’s training complex in 2018. He later decided to remain with the club.