Manchester City are closing in on a deal for Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon.

The Portuguese star - who has been in ridiculous form this season - has been identified as the creative midfielder to reinforce Pep Guardiola's squad, per Manchester Evening News.

Fernandes has scored 16 goals and recorded 12 assists in Liga NoS this season and he has spent most of the games playing as a deeper central midfielder.

City see him as the ideal man to replace Ilkay Gundogan, who is unlikely to sign a new contract at the Etihad.

David Silva's contract is also up at the end of next season, making a midfield signing this summer essential.

It is unspecified how much Fernandes would cost, but it would likely be way over £60m to bring him in from Portugal.

Current City star and international colleague Bernardo Silva was recently full of praise for the Sporting man.

"Bruno [Fernandes] is a great player," Silva said. "He has made a fantastic season with many goals, many assists that are not normal for a player of his position, he has the spearhead numbers and we will see what happens at the end of the season.

"[He is a] player who can play in other championships."

MEN also report that City are looking into the signing of Joao Felix from Sporting's rivals Benfica.

The 19-year-old has become a sought-after commodity after his hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League.

Felix has scored 16 goals in his 30 appearances this season and has quickly become Benfica's key man up front.

If City beat rivals Manchester United to the signing of Portugal's latest wonder-kid, their midfield and forward line could have a very Iberian feel come 2019/20.

But you do wonder what will happen to Gabriel Jesus if another bright young striker is brought to the club this summer...