Galatasaray's £43m Fernandes bid to be rejected as Rashford eyes Barcelona return

Manchester United will reject any approach for captain Bruno Fernandes this summer, with club sources insisting the Portuguese midfielder is not available at any price, as Michael Carrick’s side prepare for their Premier League opener against Hull City.

Galatasaray have emerged as a surprise suitor for Fernandes, with reports suggesting the Turkish club are prepared to double his wages and table a £43m offer. United are expected to dismiss the bid without consideration. Fernandes’ release clause for overseas clubs, set at £55.6m, expired in July, and his current contract runs until 2027 with the option of a one-year extension. The club view their skipper as entirely off limits.

The Fernandes speculation arrives alongside fresh uncertainty surrounding Marcus Rashford, whose future at Old Trafford has been a recurring theme throughout the transfer window. The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Barcelona, where he impressed in La Liga, but the Catalan club opted against triggering his £26m purchase option, choosing instead to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle for £70m and Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund.

Despite those attacking additions, TEAMtalk reports that Barcelona have not closed the door on Rashford and remain in dialogue with his representatives, leaving open the possibility of a dramatic return to Spain.

Carrick, who took over from Ruben Amorim in January and guided United to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification last term, has so far made three senior signings this summer. Midfielder Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have arrived to strengthen the engine room, while Karl Darlow has been brought in as backup goalkeeper. Youngster Tynan Thompson also joined from Tottenham for £4m.

United’s pre-season ended with a 4-2 defeat to Amorim’s AC Milan, a result that underlined the need for further reinforcement before the season gets under way.