Brazilian will be available on a free in June.
In-demand FC Porto holding midfielder Fernando is set to quit the Portuguese champions at the end of the season and move to big-spending Premier League giants Manchester City, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
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The former Brazil Under-20 international’s current contract at the Dragao only runs until the end of the campaign, meaning that the player will be available on a lucrative Bosman-style free transfer this summer.
And it is understood that the 26-year-old, who is nicknamed the Octopus because of his leggy style of play in the centre of the park, has already informed his employers of his intention not to put pen to paper on a new deal in Oporto.
All of which now appears to have opened the door for Fernando to move to the north west net season, with the defensive midfielder actually coming desperately close to switching to Eastlands in the January transfer window.
However, City were unable to complete a cut-price deal for the Brazilian with enough time before the winter window closed on transfer deadline day, although it is believed that Fernando will shortly agree a pre-contract agreement with the Premier League side for next season in any case.