United Planning for the Future as They Line Up Sporting Lisbon Starlet – Report

Manchester United may have already sewn up their 20th league title but it seems Sir Alex Ferguson is already planning on building the next generation as he looks to raid Sporting Lisbon for young striker Bruma.

The Sporting Lisbon academy is recognised as one of the best in Europe and they once again excelled this season when their Under-19 side reached the semi-finals of the NextGen competition.

United have previously profited by signing players who have come through the Sporting Lisbon academy with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani both making the move to Old Trafford early in their careers.

The Mirror reports that Ferguson has already received positive reports on Bruma, whose full name is Armindo Tue Na Banga, and is now hoping to be able to convince Sporting to part with the striker for just £3million.

The Portuguese club have a long history of struggling to keep hold of their best talent and this season it has become even harder as the club find themselves in a dire financial situation.

Star striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel has been sold to Norwich for £8million and will join in the summer, and there is expected to be more departures over the next few months.

Bruma started the campaign playing in the Segunda Liga for the Sporting B team but his talent was quickly recognised by Jesualdo Ferreira who handed him his first team debut in February.

The 18-year-old has since become an important member of the Sporting side, making nine appearances in the league and scoring one goal as the club desperately attempt to secure a top half finish.

Sporting currently find themselves in ninth place, some 37 points behind table topping Benfica and 33 behind great rivals Porto. After such a disappointing campaign it may well be hard for the club to hang on to their best young talent, especially when a club of great stature like United are an interested party.

Ferguson has worked tirelessly to make sure there is plenty of young talent still arriving at Old Trafford with Nick Powell earmarked as a future star of the future, while Wilfried Zaha will also arrive next season after being earmarked as one of the most exciting talents in English football.