Sporting head coach Silas said the "extraordinary" Bruno Fernandes is worth a lot more money that what is being reported amid growing links to Manchester United.
Fernandes is reportedly nearing a switch to struggling Premier League giants United, with a fee in the region of €60 million (£51m/$66m) being mooted, though Sporting are believed to be holding out for more.
After confirming Fernandes will face Portuguese rivals Benfica in Friday night's blockbuster, Silas hailed the Sporting captain.
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"He is an extraordinary player, the best and most valuable in the league, as he was last season," Silas told reporters.