Man Utd near key background signing after Woodward stance changes

Manchester United are close to finalising a move to bring Luis Campos to the club as sporting director, according to reports.

Campos, who is currently working at Lille, made his name at former club Monaco where he was responsible for scouting some of Europe’s best current talent.

Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Anthony Martial and Fabinho were all sounded out by the 55-year-old, who also brought Nicolas Pepe to Lille.

United have earned a reputation in the past few seasons for securing big-money deals which have largely failed to pay off; the likes of Angel di Maria, Alexis Sanchez and Bastian Schweinsteiger have all been unable to show their best.

According to The Sun, United have been on the hunt for a director of football for 18 months as executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward looks to change the club’s transfer policy going forward.

Campos was on the original list produced by senior Old Trafford officials but the newspaper claims that Woodward was fearful of bringing the Portuguese in while Jose Mourinho was in charge.

Campos has a strong relationship with his compatriot Mourinho having worked together at Real Madrid and it is said that bringing the two together at United would have given Mourinho too much power.

With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now at the helm, however, Woodward has reportedly changed his stance and wants to bring Campos in as soon as possible.

Elsewhere, United’s hunt for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes has come to a standstill, according to reports.

The Red Devils have again been heavily linked with a move for Fernandes over the past week following reported interest in the summer.

However, Sporting are said to be demanding £68m for the player, a figure United are unwilling to meet.

Talks are said to be continuing between the two clubs.