The urgency to tie Fernandes down to a new long-term deal stems from significant external interest in his services. Turkish giants Galatasaray have emerged as a serious suitor this summer, with reports suggesting they are prepared to offer the midfielder a four-year contract that would effectively double his current wages.
The package from Istanbul is said to include a tempting £3.5m signing-on fee, representing a lucrative alternative for the veteran playmaker as he enters the final decade of his elite professional career.
This follows a period of intense speculation last summer when the midfielder came remarkably close to a departure for the Saudi Pro League. His agent, Miguel Pinho, held high-level talks in Riyadh with Al-Hilal, who were willing to offer a staggering £200m over three years to the player.