Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Real Madrid, according to reports. The midfielder has been at Old Trafford since 2020, when he joined the club from Sporting. In that time, he has established himself as one of United’s most influential players and was given the captain’s armband in 2023.
Fernandes is tied down to the Red Devils until at least 2027, having signed a long-term contract extension at the start of the season. However, it has been claimed that Real Madrid could attempt to bring him to the Bernabeu as a replacement for Luka Modric, who will celebrate his 40th birthday in September.
The reigning European champions have been keeping a close eye on Fernandes over the last few months, according to the Daily Star. It is said that Real Madrid have sent scouts to watch him at ‘virtually every United match’, home and away, in recent weeks.
They are said to be planning a squad overhaul at the end of the season and have reportedly identified Fernandes as a potential successor to Modric. The former Tottenham man will be out of contract in the summer and is seemingly nearing the end of his time at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid’s apparent interest in Fernandes will present United with a dilemma heading into the summer window. It is said that Ruben Amorim is determined to avoid losing his captain, but club chiefs are looking to make cuts and raise money where possible.
It means the Red Devils would reportedly be open to accepting a ‘big offer’, in the region of £90million, against the wishes of their manager. Only time will tell if Real Madrid decide to firm up their interest when the bidding opens at the end of the season.
They had the chance to sign Fernandes before he joined United but reportedly turned down the opportunity due to Zinedine Zidane’s desperation to land Paul Pogba. Ultimately, the Frenchman stayed at Old Trafford before rejoining Juventus in 2022.
Fernandes, meanwhile, recently said that he turned down a concrete offer to leave United last summer. He stopped short of revealing who submitted the proposal, though.
“I sat with the club because I had an offer to leave,” he told BBC Sport. “We talked about the possibility of me leaving the club or staying. They said what they wanted from me. I just asked if they still see me as part of the future of the club or not.
“I spoke at the time with [Erik] ten Hag also. He was very clear with me, the club was very clear with me, that they thought I would be a big part of this rebuild. I thought that we could be successful.”
