Manchester United could off-load Bruno Fernandes to fund two key transfers in 2026
Manchester United are prepping for a major shake-up in midfield, with captain Bruno Fernandes set to leave the club next summer in a deal worth around £100 million to a Saudi Pro League side.
That is as per Indy Kaila [h/t Caught Offside]. One thing we can talk about is how credible Indy has been in terms of transfers and other team news over the summer. That makes one actually wonder if Bruno, our Portuguese Magnifico could actually depart from OT and join his national-team captain in the Middle East.
The plan, as per Indy, is for United to reinvest that fee immediately into the signings of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. The idea behind this reshuffle appears to be twofold: securing significant financial value for an ageing asset, and reshaping the midfield to fit Ruben Amorim’s long-term tactical vision.
Manchester United could off-load Bruno Fernandes to fund two key transfers in 2026.
Curtains?
Bruno has been a mainstay in the United side since joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2020. His leadership, creativity, and consistency have been vital through some turbulent seasons. However, at 31 and turning 32 next campaign, there’s an acceptance within the club that the time might be right to cash in.
In 298 appearances across all competitions for the Red Devils, he has accumulated a century of goals and 86 assists. From a business standpoint, commanding such a huge fee for a player approaching the latter stages of his prime represents remarkable value.
On the pitch, there’s also a growing argument that United need a different type of midfield dynamic under Amorim. Fernandes’ free role and heavy creative responsibility have at times clashed with the structured, press-oriented system that the manager prefers. Bruno’s best ability is being able to play dynamically, but it seems like Amorim would prefer much more structure, and lesser “moments of magic“, if you’d like to call it that.
Carlos Baleba and Elliott Anderson are the players in discussion here. Make no mistake, 1.5x of the £100m United might get from the potential sale of Bruno might not be enough to land this duo. Market rates are different, selling to United rates are different, and “Selling to United when you know they have funds” rates are different. That’s just the price of being the dominant force in English football, albeit a long time ago.
Manchester United could off-load Bruno Fernandes to fund two key transfers in 2026.
This duo in the middle of the park at Old Trafford soon?
If this happens, it will be bittersweet. Fernandes’ magic has defined much of the post-Sir Alex era, but football moves fast, and timing is everything. If this deal helps Manchester United evolve while securing strong financial and footballing returns, it might just prove to be the right call.