Manchester United are increasingly optimistic of agreeing a new long-term deal with captain Bruno Fernandes, bringing the Portuguese star in line with the club’s top earners.
United are keen to tie-down the £240,000-a-week midfielder and sources have told Mail Sport that there is hope an agreement can soon be reached on a new three-year deal, with the option of a further year.
Fernandes put United chiefs on alert back in May when he said, amid interest from Bayern Munich and Saudi Arabia, he would consider his options after Euro 2024.
‘It doesn’t just depend on me, does it?’ Fernandes said at the time.
‘A player always has to want to be here, but at the same time, you have to want him to stay.’
Bruno Fernandes will extend his stay at Manchester United through to at least June 2027
Fernandes, who turns 30 next month, joined United back in January 2020 and has two years remaining on his current deal, which he penned in 2022.
Across four and a half years at Old Trafford he has made more than 220 appearances, scoring 73 goals and 65 assists.
The Red Devils endured a disappointing eighth-place finish in the 2023-24 Premier League campaign, although an FA Cup victory ensured Fernandes’ season ended on a high.
Portuguese outlet O Jogo claimed Fernandes’ agent Miguel Pinho had met with representatives from Bayern Munich over a potential transfer in the summer.
New Bayern boss Vincent Kompany had been desperate to make a marquee signing after a season in which the German giants failed to win a single trophy.
However, the 29-year-old had previously indicated his desire to remain at Old Trafford via a piece in The Player’s Tribune.
He wrote: ‘I love to step out at Old Trafford more than anything in the world. I don’t want to leave. This has always been my ultimate dream.
Fernandes has been one of Manchester United’s best players since signing in 2020
‘I just want my expectations to fit with the expectations of the club. If you go talk to any fan, they will tell you the same thing. We want to compete for the league. We want to be playing Champions League football. We want to be in cup finals. That is the standard. That is what I want. That is what you all deserve.
‘I just want to keep fighting. I want to be here. My family wants to be here.’
