Bruno Fernandes Manchester United contract offer, Digi Mart USA News: Bruno Fernandes has turned down a second contract offer from Manchester United. Talks over a new deal for the club captain have been ongoing since the summer, when the first proposal was made and rejected by the Portuguese.
United have more recently followed up with improved terms, but Fernandes is not yet satisfied, so further negotiations are anticipated. Salary and length of contract are aspects being discussed for the 32-year-old, whose current deal expires in June 2027.
As things stand, he can talk to foreign clubs about a potential free transfer from January. However, United have the option of a further 12 months, which would overrule that freedom if triggered, and the club want Fernandes to stay.
Fernandes was named FWA Footballer of the Year in May and was presented with the PFA Player of the Year in August after he hit 21 assists last season to break a Premier League record. Aside from a hat-trick against Ipswich Town in United’s only Premier League victory this campaign, his form has not hit the same heights, but he remains the team’s best player in the opinion of the majority at Carrington.
The Portugal international is himself weighing up his future and has been open about the prospect of leaving in the past. He signed his last contract in 2024. In May 2025 he was the subject of major interest from Saudi club Al Hilal, while in August The Athletic reported that Galatasaray had made an offer of €20million (£17.1m; $23.2m) a year.
Fernandes had a €65m release clause which was only open to foreign clubs earlier this summer, but that has since expired. United were not open to selling Fernandes after that point.
Fernandes turning down a second proposal presents an intriguing dynamic at United, as the club hierarchy say they want him to stay and he also wants to continue, but the question for both sides is to what degree.
Fernandes is at an age when his next contract will be his last major deal, while United must balance cost with expected output, at a time when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s regime has made efforts to cut the wage bill. Liverpool’s handling of Mohamed Salah’s contract in early 2025 is a comparable situation.
Fernandes has seemed affected by developments at United this season, through his performances on the pitch and words off it, including pointing to the coaching staff’s choice to sit off at Como as a reason for the 4-1 Champions League defeat. Fernandes has since said he was trying to explain that it was not for him to answer a tactical question and it was not his intention to inflame the situation.
Michael Carrick dropped Fernandes for the visit by Bournemouth, but their relationship is said to be perfectly fine after they spoke in the wake of the 3-0 defeat. They have known each other since Carrick coached Fernandes while working under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Fernandes marked Carrick’s exit on Instagram, posting a picture of them shaking hands and writing: “Thanks for everything, boss.”
Mauricio Pochettino, who is due to be announced as the next person in the Old Trafford hotseat, wanted to sign Fernandes for Tottenham Hotspur in 2019.
