Manchester United ‘ready to sell’ Bruno Fernandes to fund two major signings as ‘first steps taken’
Manchester United are seemingly ready to sanction a move for Bruno Fernandes to fund major midfield signings next summer.
Last summer, Manchester United made several signings that helped to improve Rúben Amorim’s side, bringing in the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško.
Last summer marked the first summer in a long time that, on the whole, the fan base could see a clear strategy for transfers and was positive about their summer signings.
United have a history of spending big on players that ultimately went on to fail at Old Trafford, as seen by the likes of Jadon Sancho, Antony, Angel Di Maria, and André Onana.
Bruno Fernandes, however, has been the club’s best signing since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Man Utd ready to sell Bruno Fernandes
The club’s captain has played over 300 games since joining from Sporting CP for £47 million in January 2020, scoring 102 goals and 92 assists under numerous Old Trafford coaches, including Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag, and now Rúben Amorim.
Fernandes’ contract runs until 2027, with his current deal including a release clause of around £56 million, which can be activated by clubs outside of England next summer, if it’s done early enough.
As reported by CaughtOffside, Man United can expect bids for their captain, with clubs such as Al Hilal and Al Ittihad reportedly showing a strong interest in him.
The Portuguese midfielder is the club’s most sellable asset, and with INEOS looking to make the club more financially stable, they could look to move on Fernandes, with the club expected to sell him for around £70 million, should his release clause not be triggered in time.
Fernandes sale could be necessary to fund new signings
Initially signed as a central attacking midfielder, Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 means there is no natural position for Fernandes to occupy, but he has still performed well as part of a midfield pivot, often lining up alongside Casemiro.
The 31-year-old is currently leading the Premier League assist charts with six, but the case could be made that Man United’s new tactical system is not getting the best out of their captain, opening up the proposition of selling the midfielder to fund further signings that suit Manchester United’s midfield pivot.
With the club’s new transfer strategy of signing Premier League proven players, signing the likes of Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and Elliot Anderson will not be cheap, with the outlet reporting that Man United may see Fernandes as someone worth cashing in on to help fund any potential move next summer.
There have been reports elsewhere that have stated that United have already ‘taken their first steps’ in an attempt to secure Anderson.
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It is certainly a huge risk to potentially lose a player who has been so important to the club for the last five years and such a key figure in the dressing room. While he is certainly not getting any younger and will be expected to start to naturally decline over the next couple of seasons, the grass is not always greener on the other side.
United fans may look to the current situation unfolding with Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, who signed a contract extension in April this year, as an example of when the right time is to let a player go.
However, many top players have continued to perform late into their 30s, so it’s something that the club will need to think extremely carefully about.
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