VitoriaGuimaraes defender Jorge Fernandes is attracting major Premier League interest ahead of the January transfer window.

Fernandes is attracting attention from Fulham, Southampton and Newcastle United.

A product of Porto's academy, Fernandes is a ball playing centre-back who had spells on loan at Portuguese side Tondela and last season at Kasimpasa in Turkey.

Vitoria moved to sign him for a bargain £720,000 in the summer but he is already being valued in the £16million bracket, says the Daily Mail.

Vitoria have only conceded two goals when Fernandes has played this season with the 6ft 4ins Portugal U21 international proving a key component of their defence and catching the eye of a number of scouts in the process.