Bruno Fernandes reportedly shares the sentiments recently expressed by teammate Lisandro Martínez. He is concerned about the club’s course, and according to a report, we are set to see a high-profile exit from Manchester United – possibly as early as the January window.
The Portuguese star is rightly considered the club’s best signing in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, with an incredible 220 goal points (111 goals and 109 assists) in 337 appearances for United since his transfer from Sporting CP in January 2020.
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However, since the current contract expires at the end of this season – although United have an option to extend it by one year – talks over an extension have been going on for some time.
Still, a deal still feels far away. TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey reported on October 8 that there is still a major problem preventing a full deal.
United-based website The People’s Person cites sources as saying that “broken promises and doubts about the club’s ambitions” mean there is little progress towards a deal.
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In addition – with the player seemingly far from his best and now without a goal in five games – it is understandable that the club is sceptical about giving the 32-year-old a mega-salary extension if it turns out that his best days are behind him.
And while fans wait for the result, a new report from Turkey outlines the strong reasons why the stars are now on their way for Fernandes to leave Old Trafford – and explains why a high-profile move to Galatasaray is now being planned for the upcoming January window.
“Tired of praising the club’s history”
According to the report, which comes from Istanbul-based Fanatik, Fernandes is “tired of praising the club’s history” and believes the club management needs to present a clearer vision for the direction before putting pen to paper.
Fernandes shares the same sentiments as Argentine defender Martínez, who last week condemned the club’s apparent lack of ambition in the summer transfer market. The Portuguese is concerned that United are slipping further away from fighting for the game’s biggest trophies than ever before.
And in the biggest claim yet that the frustration will lead to an early exit, it says, “After rejecting a new contract offer in recent weeks, Bruno Fernandes wants this departure to happen in January.”
According to the report, “the stars are now lining up” for a move to Galatasaray, who have long been interested in the player.
The Turkish giants made an offer to sign the Portuguese superstar as early as the summer window, although United were comfortable turning down the offer out of hand.
However, Gala are still eager, and it is now reported that a new offer could likely do the trick. The Super Lig champions are “positioning themselves” to strike – and could potentially make room for his arrival by getting rid of another high-paid player, Leroy Sané, first.
United hold on
However, as Bailey explains, United are not at that point yet. The club management remains determined to keep the player, and sources insist that – despite his recent decline – there are no signs that the club is considering parting ways with the captain.
But as TEAMtalk has previously revealed, there is an assessment within the club as to how long Fernandes can continue to perform at the very highest level.
Age is therefore an important factor in negotiations, especially given the huge financial obligation that comes with a long-term contract for a player in their thirties.
Carrick, meanwhile, has made it clear that he wants to strengthen the squad when the January transfer window opens in just 75 days.
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