Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes' time at Old Trafford may be drawing to a close, as Real Madrid find themselves braced for a record transfer bid for the Portuguese midfield maestro
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Updated 12:18, 30 Mar 2025
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United speaks during a press conference ahead of a first team training session ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final between Villareal CF and Manchester United at Gdansk Arena
Could Bruno Fernandes be on his way out of the doors of Old Trafford?
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
Bruno Fernandes could find himself donning the white of Real Madrid next season as the Spanish Titans plot a record transfer bid.
For one reason or another, the 30-year-old Portuguese maestro has struggled to bring glory back to Manchester United during his five-year tenure with the club - with the Red Devils' Premier League finishes diminishing over time. And the club captain may find himself playing La Liga football in 2025/26, if recent reports are anything to go by.
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According to the Daily Star, representatives from Los Blancos have been present at virtually every United game - home and away - as of late, scouting Fernandes and his respective performances. Despite sitting second in La Liga at the time of writing - joint on 63 points with league leaders Barcelona - the club is said to be planning a complete overhaul over the summer, with Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold also a key target to join the ranks of one of the most prestigious clubs in the world.
It is said that Fernandes is being eyed as a potential successor to 39-year-old Luka Modric, who is out of contract with Real Madrid in the summer. While Manchester United will have the final say on Fernandes future in the north west, given that he is under contract until 2027 with an option of extending for a further year, a £90million transfer would be a record sale for the Red Devils.
The sum would come as a massive influx to United who are suffering financial woes as of recent, especially given the player will soon be entering the twilight years of his career. It would also come as a major return on the £68m the side paid for him from Sporting CP back in January 2020.
To date, Fernandes has scored 95 goals and provided 82 assists across 227 appearances for the Red Devils. With eight goals in the Premier League this year alone, he is also currently United's top scorer for the 2024/25 campaign - with the likes of Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund up top failing to hit expectations.
However, Fernandes' time at Old Trafford hasn't been completely plain sailing, as evidenced by the side's eighth-place finish last term and 13th-place position in the league standings at present. And while he is the club captain, it appears as though his input off the pitch to those higher up has previously been ignored.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Ipswich Town FC at Old Trafford
Bruno Fernandes has been a standout in a lacklustre Manchester United side
Back in 2023, for example, Fernandes urged the United board to sign his Portugal team-mate Goncalo Ramos from Benfica - given that the star striker was excelling in the Liga Portugal with 19 goals to his name as Benfica lifted the league trophy. Fernandes told Portuguese channel Sport TV at the time: "I think Goncalo [Ramos] has all the conditions to play in the Premier League.
"He plays with a lot of intensity, he presses very well and is really good inside the penalty area. He is strong. Obviously, he is still very young and will improve a lot." He added: "Here, the best players will always be valued, be it Goncalo or someone else.
"I think he has all the qualities to play in the Premier League, and when I say in the Premier League, I also mean Manchester United. I think he could become a great reference in years to come. But it is still not in my hands, it is up to the sporting director. When I am in that position, I will make those decisions."
Ramos ultimately made the move to Paris Saint-Germain instead in a £54m deal and has excelled since - with 28 goals and seven assists to his name in 68 appearances. United instead opted to bring in Hojlund from Atalanta in a £64m move, but the 22-year-old has struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League thus far, with just 13 goals from 54 games in the English top flight.
Time will only tell as to whether Fernandes will jump ship to Real Madrid in the summer, but the prospect of the incredibly skilled player teaming up with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde is an enticing vision to say the very least.
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