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The future of Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes remains in doubt, according to reports.
TalkSPORT claim the Portuguese international is still “seriously considering” whether to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.
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Fernandes has a €65m (£56m) release clause in his contract that clubs outside of England can trigger at any time.
The player himself told the BBC earlier this campaign that he will weigh up his options after the World Cup this summer.
Fernandes has been in phenomenal form
The 31-year-old has scored 8 goals and provided 17 assists in all competitions for United this season.
Unsurprisingly, the Red Devils are hoping to keep hold of Fernandes, but they may have to offer him a new contract for him to stay.
The release clause effectively means the midfielder holds all the cards when it comes to his future. If he wishes to leave for the Middle East, a Saudi Pro League side would likely pay the buyout fee.
Of course, a new deal that removes the clause could be offered, but United have been reluctant to hand out big salaries since INEOS became a minority shareholder.
Fernandes already takes home £300,000 a week, and he may want even more than that to stay. Buy a signed, framed Fernandes shirt from Fanatics here.
Man Utd do have a contingency plan
If Fernandes does make the decision to leave over the coming months, Director of Football Jason Wilcox is said to have already identified his potential replacement.
TalkSPORT report that United do hold an interest in Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. The Red Devils have also been linked with his teammate, Elliot Anderson, although the cost of signing both players would be very high.
Anderson’s asking price is said to be between £80m and £100m, and it would not be a surprise if Forest demanded a similar amount for Gibbs-White.
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