Manchester United open contract talks with Bruno Fernandes after Galatasaray's £17m approach

Manchester United are in contract talks with Bruno Fernandes after Galatasaray submitted a £17 million proposal for the club captain, whose current deal runs until the end of this season.

Fernandes, 31, signed his most recent contract two years ago, a deal that included a £56 million release clause for foreign clubs — a clause that lapsed earlier in this summer’s transfer window. United retain a one-year option on his existing terms, but both parties are now discussing a longer arrangement. According to The Athletic, the club are adamant that no formal approach from outside clubs has been received.

The Portugal international has made clear his desire to stay at Old Trafford. He turned down Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal last year, and spoke candidly at the time about the complexity of that period. “I could have left as many people do and said: ‘I want to leave, I don’t want to train, I just want to leave for €20 million or €30 million, so they pay me more on the other side’, but I never did that,” he said.

Fernandes also revealed he felt the club had been willing to let him go. “The club wanted me to go; I have that in my head. I told the directors this, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision,” he said. “I decided to stay, also because of family reasons, but because I genuinely like the club. The conversation with the manager also made me stay.”

He added that the experience had left him hurt. “More than hurting, it makes me sad because I’m a player they have nothing to criticise about. I’m always available, and I always play — good or bad — I give my all.”

Earlier this summer, Fernandes spoke about the weight of representing United and the expectation to return the club to the top of English and European football. “I think everyone always believes that we can be the ones who are going to turn the page, the ones who are going to make it possible for United to fight on all fronts,” he said.

With his release clause no longer active and a new suitor now in the picture, United face a decision on one of their most influential players of recent years. How quickly those talks progress could define a significant part of their winter transfer window planning.