Sporting Lisbon assistant manager Emanuel Ferro has denied that Bruno Fernandes is on the brink of joining Manchester United.
The Red Devils were rumoured to have been close to wrapping up a deal for the Portugal international, despite some late rumoured competition from Manchester City.
Negotiations are continuing to hold up the transfer, though, with United supposedly unwilling to pay the £55.3m upfront sum Sporting are after.
Sporting coach Ferro has now cast doubt on a move going through before the end of the month, telling Portuguese outlet A Bola: "There is a lot of talk about him leaving.
"I believe that outside people feel this more than us. We don't feel it. We don't feel Bruno's thinking about leaving. He is competitive and involved."
Fernandes played a full part in last week's 2-0 league defeat to rivals Benfica and is in contention to feature against Braga on Tuesday.
Daniel Lewis
