Updated: 29 Apr 2026 13:03 BST |
5 min read
Bruno Fernandes will demand assurances over Manchester United’s ambitions if the superstar playmaker is to remain at the club this summer after the emergence of a release clause in his contract.
Fernandes is a front-runner for the Premier League player of the year award after an incredible campaign that sees the midfielder needing just one assist to tie the division’s all-time seasonal record of 20.
Having come close to leaving United for Saudi Arabia last summer, United are in danger of losing their captain again this year, with The Telegraph reporting that Fernandes has a release clause of €65 million, believed to be active until the first half of July.
Fernandes is entering the final year of his contract at Old Trafford and, although United have an option to extend the 31-year-old’s deal until 2028, the player is believed to be seeking assurances over the club’s ambitions going forward.
It is unclear whether Fernandes will wait to see how United’s transfer plans unfold during the summer but the club are hoping that their aim to assemble a squad capable of winning the biggest trophies will resonate with the Portuguese international.
United could look to exceed the near-€250m they spent last summer as they prepare to return to the Champions League next season after a two-year absence.
Man Utd ready to make amends to Fernandes after Saudi transfer drama
United have no desire to lose Fernandes after he turned down a lucrative offer from Al-Hilal summer, with the player revealing that he still had ‘dreams’ he wished to achieve with the Premier League giants.
“I stayed because I thought I still had something that I can give back to the club,” Fernandes told The Wayne Rooney Show. “I didn’t want to leave the club at the point where we were struggling.”
Fernandes had previously admitted he felt ‘hurt’ by United’s openness to letting him go last summer and believed the club wanted him to leave.
United are aiming to spend big this summer, with at least two midfielders at the top of their priority list, such as Elliot Anderson and Aurelien Tchouameni, both of whom will likely command in excess of €70m each.
The Red Devils are also keen to add a wide player such as Yan Diomande, who Leipzig are not expected to let go for less than €100m, while defensive reinforcements will also be sought.
Related stories:
Elliot Anderson making transfer mistake as England midfielder’s ‘destiny’ revealed
Transfer Rumours: Creative Diomande solution as Man Utd decision confirmed
Man Utd Transfer News Today: €100m price tag set as Anderson ‘destiny’ revealed
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
•Google Play
•App Store
