Roma and Milan keen on free agent Bruno Fernandes

Roma and Milan are both keen to sign Bruno Fernandes on a free transfer.

The central midfielder left Sporting CP earlier this week, along with William Carvalho, Gelson Martins and Bas Dost, after terminating his contract at the club.

The move comes after the club's players were attacked by fans at their own training ground in May, with goalkeeper Rui Patricio and manager Jorge Jesus also leaving.

Fernandes has since been linked with Premier League clubs Tottenham and Arsenal, but Roma and Milan are in pole position to secure his signature.

“The player has terminated his contract with Sporting along with other players. Roma and, with some distance behind, Milan are interested in him," his agent, Miguel Pinho, told laroma24.

"The player is leaving for Italy but we have no meeting planned with (Roma Director of Football) Monchi.”

Fernandes enjoyed an excellent season in 2017-18, scoring 16 goals in all competitions and providing 20 assists.

The 23-year-old is a member of Portugal's World Cup squad with the Selecao set to face Spain in their opening fixture on Friday.

Fernandes already has a wealth of experience playing in Italy, having emerged through Novara's youth system before joining Udinese in 2013.

He then moved to Sampdoria in 2016 and spent one season at Stadio Luigi Ferraris before heading to Sporting last summer.