This archive report was first published on 9 May 2020.
Manchester United's January signing, Bruno Fernandes, has been at the center of a transfer controversy. On April 3, 2020, Sampdoria lodged a claim with FIFA against Sporting Clube de Portugal, citing financial obligations related to Fernandes' transfer in 2007.
The Italian club is seeking £4 million from Sporting Lisbon, which is 10% of the £47 million fee Manchester United paid for Fernandes in January. Sampdoria had inserted a sell-on clause into Fernandes' contract when he left Italy in 2007 for £7.5 million.
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed the investigation, stating, 'We can confirm that on 3 April 2020 the Italian club, UC Sampdoria, lodged a claim with FIFA against the Portuguese club, Sporting Clube de Portugal, related to financial obligations set out in the contract corresponding to the transfer of the Portuguese player, Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes.'
The matter is currently under investigation, and FIFA cannot provide further comments at this time.
Fernandes has made a significant impact at Manchester United since his transfer, helping the team to an 11-game unbeaten run before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
