We are one of three Premier League clubs pursuing Spartak Moscow midfielder Fernando, according to the Sun journalist Warren Haughton.
Chelsea and Everton are also in the running for the 26-year-old, but there will be competition from abroad too, with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla considering bids for the player.
The Brazilian would likely be a replacement for Mousa Dembele if the Belgian is sold as many newspapers are now predicting.
He plays as a defensive midfielder, but can also cause opposition problems in the final third of the pitch. This season, he has racked up six goals and four assists in 36 appearances.
Spartak signed Fernando for £10m just two years ago but it looks as though they have accepted the player’s desire to leave and play at a higher level.
The Brazilian international could be available for £22m, but we’ll have to wait until the summer to see whether the midfielder is being lined up by the club as a potential target.