Monaco confirm interest in Fernando

Monaco boss Claudio Ranieri has added fuel to speculations linking the Principality Club with a move for Porto star Fernando.

The Italian manager has been on the lookout for a new holding midfielder ever since Nampalys Mendy made a switch to Nice, but he has had no success so far.

Ranieri has now admitted that there will be more arrivals by the end of the summer transfer window, while confirming his interest in Porto’s Fernando.

“We are in the transfer market, so there may be new arrivals,” Ranieri said at a press conference.

“I want Fernando, but I do not think it will happen. He is too expensive.”

Record understands that Monaco had a €10 million bid rejected for the 26-year-old midfielder, which was quite surprising considering the circumstances.

Namely, Fernando has just one year left on his deal at Estadio do Dragao and has informed club chiefs that he won’t be signing a contract extension.

Not so long ago, the Brazilian was one of the most sought-after players in world football, but Porto’s high demands denied him the opportunity to join a top European club.