Bruno Fernandes ‘Heartbroken’ After Tottenham Move Collapsed Before Joining Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes revealed he was left in tears when his proposed transfer to Tottenham Hotspur from Sporting CP fell through in 2019, just months before his eventual move to Manchester United.
Key Points
• Spurs Deal Falls Apart: Fernandes was close to joining Tottenham in 2019, but negotiations collapsed over the deal’s structure.
• Emotional Reaction: The Portuguese star admitted he cried in his chairman’s office when the move fell through.
• Success at United: Six months later, Fernandes joined Manchester United, where he has since flourished.
What Happened?
In the summer of 2019, Bruno Fernandes was on the verge of signing for Tottenham Hotspur. The deal had progressed significantly, with both parties agreeing on a fee. However, Spurs were unwilling to meet Sporting CP’s demands regarding the payment structure, leading to the deal’s collapse. According to reports from the Daily Mail, the failed transfer left Fernandes devastated, even shedding tears in his chairman’s office.
Just six months later, Manchester United swooped in to secure Fernandes for a reported £47 million, a move that has proven transformative for the club.
The Bigger Picture
Tottenham’s failure to finalize the transfer cost them the chance to add Fernandes to an attack that already featured Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. Instead, Fernandes joined Manchester United, where he quickly became a fan favorite, was named club captain, and won both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Spurs, meanwhile, continue their search for silverware and rue their decision to let the deal slip through their fingers.
What Fernandes Said
Speaking to The Players’ Tribune earlier this year, Fernandes reflected on the failed move:
“There were some rumours about Premier League clubs, but Tottenham was the only concrete option. At the time, I was excited. As a kid from Portugal, you dream about playing in the big grounds in England.”
“In the end, the clubs couldn’t reach an agreement, and the deal fell apart.”
