Former Manchester United and Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon could have a big say in the future of Sporting Lisbon star Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

The Sun says when Kenyon last month left the stable of Creative Artists, representatives of David Beckham among others, he took with him the player fund he had created.

The fund buys stakes in promising players then takes a cut when the player is sold.

Kenyon's scheme part-owns between 15-20 players, including 50 per cent of Sporting Lisbon stars Van Wolfswinkel and Elias.

The fund helped Sporting buy Utrecht's Van Wolfswinkel for about £4.7million and Elias from Atletico Madrid for a club record £8.7m.

Van Wolfswinkel has hit 11 goals in 14 games, quadrupling his value and led United No 2 Mike Phelan to admit the club are watching him. Brazil midfielder Elias is also on the radar of English clubs.