Bruno Fernandes’s expiring Manchester United contract and a potential £100million transfer could make for a hectic summer at Old Trafford
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer
07:45, 28 Jan 2026
Bruno Fernandes is approaching a key juncture at Manchester United as the club consider handing their captain a new contract(Image: PA)
Bruno Fernandes has established himself as a modern legend at Manchester United, though his long-term future at Old Trafford remains uncertain. The club captain continues to attract speculation about a potential summer departure and has been candid about the situation in recent interviews.
Fernandes has addressed speculation surrounding Saudi Arabian interest last summer when Al-Hilal were allegedly willing to stump up £100million for his services. The 31-year-old disclosed in December how former manager Ruben Amorim was instrumental in persuading him to remain, though he suggested United seemed willing to entertain the bid.
This could prove significant if comparable proposals materialise at the end of this season, with his existing deal set to run until summer 2027. United retain an option to extend that commitment by an additional 12 months but the prospect of securing a nine-figure fee for a player approaching his twilight years might prove irresistible.
Fernandes is understood to be seeking wages that would establish him as the club’s highest-paid player by a considerable margin should he pen fresh terms. Nevertheless, United might consider it wise to capitalise on his value as one of several possible avenues in what has emerged as a crucial matter for the club.
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Bumper contract extension
There’s arguably no player currently at United who possesses greater worth than Fernandes. Not merely in terms of prospective market value but also regarding how significantly the side improves when he’s around.
READ MORE: Man Utd will have to break bank to keep disillusioned skipper Bruno FernandesREAD MORE: How Man Utd could line up with sensational Cole Palmer and Carlos Baleba transfers
Consequently, it’s plausible the club will determine it’s in their best interests to invest by offering him fresh terms. Fernandes is reportedly demanding a £400,000-a-week deal should he sign new terms at Old Trafford, given his next contract will likely be the final major deal of his career.
It represents a considerable increase from the £300,000 a week he’s currently on. Nevertheless, with Casemiro already confirmed to depart in the summer, removing his £375,000-a-week wages from the books will liberate a substantial amount from the salary structure.
There remains a danger in offering a lengthy new deal to a player who turns 32 in September, though. Liverpool serve as a recent cautionary tale after rewarding Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk with fresh contracts last year, only to witness both veterans struggle to replicate their past levels so far this season.
There’s the additional condition that Fernandes allegedly wishes to wait and see who gets appointed as the next permanent boss before making his commitment. But following Michael Carrick’s flawless beginning as interim boss, which has seen his chances of landing the role improve, that might not remain a concern for much longer.
Fernandes has been open in admitting he’d accept a move to Saudi Arabia if he was no longer wanted at United
Mega-money transfer
The alternative route worth considering is to capitalise on Fernandes’ sale while the opportunity remains favourable. Given his age, there’s no certainty United will ever receive bids matching those currently being discussed should they opt to retain their skipper for another season.
The Saudi Pro League has proved a valuable negotiating chip for Premier League sides when moving on particular players in recent times. Middle Eastern clubs are prepared to pay premium fees for marquee signings in a bid to enhance their brand, and speculation linking Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr with Fernandes has continued despite their failure to secure the player last summer.
Speaking to Canal 11 in December, he acknowledged he was receptive to playing in Saudi Arabia and said: “I can’t complain, I’m very well paid, but obviously the difference is huge. That was never what guided me. If one day I have to play in Saudi Arabia, I’ll play in Saudi Arabia.
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“My lifestyle will change, my children’s lives will be sunny, after six years in Manchester with cold and rain. I’ll be playing in a growing league, with recognised players.”
The monetary incentive is also remarkable, with Fernandes allegedly receiving a contract proposal worth approximately £700,000 per week. After six years at United, there’s a possibility this summer could mark the decisive moment for both club and player if all concerned agree a departure serves everyone’s interests.
Outside transfer interest
Saudi powerhouses are unlikely to be alone in their interest should it emerge that Fernandes is available. However, the situation is complex given fewer European clubs would be capable of matching Saudi financial muscle.
Bayern Munich have recently been touted as another potential destination, one that would fulfil Fernandes’ ambition to continue competing at the highest level. The German giants have ramped up their spending in recent years, with Harry Kane aged 30 when Bayern paid around £100m to secure him from Tottenham nearly three years ago.
United’s skipper could follow Casemiro’s example by leaving Old Trafford as a free agent(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
In the same Canal 11 interview mentioned earlier, Fernandes also addressed his other preferences after leaving United, saying: “I want to stay at Manchester United as long as I feel desired. I would like to experience the Spanish league and fight for big titles in Italy. I have many connections to Italy… my daughter was born there.
“I’ve already thought about returning to Portugal… the first option would be [former employers] Sporting. To be happy, like it was with Sporting. But I don’t want to ruin the image that was left.”
Free transfer departure
Money matters but from a practical standpoint, securing a transfer fee for Fernandes isn’t necessarily paramount. In fact, allowing his existing contract to run its course and triggering the 12-month extension to retain him at the club until 2028 may prove wisest.
By taking this approach, United would preserve the greatest possible opportunity of maximising the midfielder’s remaining peak years. He could then depart in 2028, at which point he’ll be 33, and would still be positioned to secure a profitable contract elsewhere given he’d be moving as a free agent.
There’s a chance Fernandes could head for the United exit this summer amid talk of big-money bids from Saudi Arabia(Image: Getty)
In this scenario, United wouldn’t be required to boost the player’s salary and would have greater certainty regarding their timeframe for identifying a replacement. Admittedly, the club would be forgoing the opportunity to secure a substantial fee for their star, but players of Fernandes’ calibre are rare, so that could be a worthwhile trade-off to guarantee the rest of his peak years are at Old Trafford.
United paid a combined £67.6m to acquire Fernandes from Sporting in 2020, presuming all performance-related clauses in the agreement have been triggered. Should he depart in 2028, that would amount to approximately £8m per year (excluding salaries) across his eight-and-a-half years in Manchester.
Most would consider that a reasonable investment for a player who has elevated expectations at the club during his time there. Therefore, maintaining the status quo before an amicable exit at the conclusion of his existing deal could prove satisfactory.