Manchester United and two Premier League rivals are among the clubs keeping close tabs on a potential heir to Bruno Fernandes, according to stunning reports.
Bruno Fernandes has been an influential force for the Manchester United first-team squad since the club signed the Portuguese maestro from Sporting CP in 2020.
The 30-year-old United captain has remained a key figure at Old Trafford and has continued to play an important role for Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim.
Fernandes was linked with Al Hilal this summer and the Portugal international’s long-term future at the Premier League club had been in doubt in recent months.
Al Hilal were keen to land Fernandes ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup and the Saudi Pro League side were ready to entice the player with a lucrative package.
But Fernandes rejected a move to Al Hilal and the United skipper committed himself to Ruben Amorim’s project at the club ahead of the new Premier League season.
READ MORE: Man Utd one of four clubs in race to sign midfielder whose release clause has activated amid Saudi Pro League interest
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes celebrates his side’s victory after the Europa League match between Manchester United and Lyon at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester.
Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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Man Utd could have found a long-term replacement for Bruno Fernandes amid fierce transfer interest
Bruno Fernandes is under contract with Manchester United until 2027 and the Portugal midfielder will turn 31 years old in September amid the 2025-26 campaign.
Despite his age and uncertainty around his long-term future at Old Trafford, the United star showed little sign of slowing down thanks to his numbers last season.
Fernandes found the back of the net 19 times and picked up 19 assists in 57 matches across all competitions for United in the 2024-25 season.
According to Sport, United have emerged as one club that are ‘keeping an eye’ on the situation surrounding Barcelona and Spain midfielder Fermin Lopez.
The Spanish newspaper reports that Fermin Lopez ‘will face tough competition for playing time’ at Barcelona next season under manager Hansi Flick.
Barcelona are trying to balance their books and wages amid signing Joan Garca from Espanyol and are closing in on the signing of Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao.
Lopez, who has been seen as an ‘heir apparent’ to Fernandes, is ‘one of the names the sporting directors are considering’ for sale amid handling their finances.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim must consider all four options on table for Erik ten Hag signing, Man Utd player is real head-scratcher
Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez is on Man Utd’s radar and other clubs amid uncertainty around his future
Sport reports that Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Liverpool and United all ‘have the player on their radar’ amid the rumblings around Fermin Lopez’s club future.
The publication also claimed that ‘financially powerful leagues like those of Saudi Arabia’ would consider a move for the 22-year-old Spanish midfielder.
It is believed that the Saudi Pro League would be an ‘unlikely’ option for Lopez due to the ‘limited sporting potential,’ despite being welcomed there ‘with open arms.’
A product of the famed La Masia academy, Lopez is under contract with Barcelona until 2029 and he reportedly has an eye-watering €500m buyout clause.
It has been claimed that Lopez would only leave if a ‘great offer’ came in and ‘satisfied both parties,’ but Barcelona ‘would never sell’ him for less than his buyout clause.
The Spain and Barcelona midfielder has ‘always expressed his desire to remain’ at Barcelona for ‘a long time’ and is a ‘key part of Flick’s plans’ at the club.