Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has outlined three potential transfer destinations amid reports linking him with a move away from Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes Open To Three Transfer Destinations
Bruno Fernandes has named three potential transfer destinations should he depart Manchester United, with his recent bombshell interview casting doubt over his future at the club.
Speaking to Portuguese media outlet Canal11, the Red Devils’ skipper made some outspoken comments and revealed that the club tried to offload him to Saudi Arabia in the summer.
Despite eventually staying put, Fernandes admitted the saga left him feeling ‘hurt’.
This has led many to speculate that he could exit Old Trafford next summer. Should that be the case, the 31-year-old playmaker has confirmed his preferred locations for a transfer.
He said: “I want to stay at Manchester United as long as I feel desired.
“I would like to experience the Spanish league and fight for big titles in Italy. I have many connections to Italy… my daughter was born there.
“I’ve already thought about returning to Portugal… the first option would be Sporting. To be happy, like it was with Sporting. But I don’t want to ruin the image that was left.
“But I don’t want to drag myself there, I want to add to it. And even try district football, at an advanced age. You play in the district for love, you feel different. I have friends in the district.”
Fernandes’ links to Italy come as he started his senior football career in the country, having previously represented Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria in Serie B and Serie A.
He then returned to his homeland with Sporting before sealing a move to United in 2020.
His deal with the Red Devils runs until the summer of 2027 with an option to extend for a year.
It includes a £57m release clause that can be activated by overseas clubs next summer, opening the door for clubs from Spain, Italy and Portugal to swoop for the midfield star.
Fernandes has been in excellent form for United in recent weeks, having registered three goals and four assists in his last four Premier League appearances under Ruben Amorim.
This includes a goal and an assist in the 4-4 draw against Bournemouth on Monday.
Pressure is mounting on Amorim after that result, having thrown away the lead on three separate occasions on home turf. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is favoured to replace him, according to the latest next Manchester United manager odds.
Fernandes Won’t Rule Out Saudi Switch
Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the most high-profile sides linked with a move for the Portugal international, while both Inter and AC Milan have previously been credited with interest.
Bayern are also ‘big admirers’ of Fernandes, as revealed in Wednesday’s transfer roundup.
While remaining in Europe is believed to be his preference, Fernandes hasn’t ruled out a move to Saudi Arabia in the future despite refusing to join the Middle Eastern league in the summer.
He told Canal11: “If one day I have to play in Saudi Arabia, I’ll play in Saudi Arabia.
“My lifestyle will change, my children’s lives will be sunny, after six years in Manchester with cold and rain, I’ll be playing in a growing league, with renowned players.
“I could have left like many people do and said: ‘I want to leave, I don’t want to train, I just want to leave for 20 or 30 million, so they pay me more on the other side.’ But I never did that.
“I never felt in a position to do it, because I felt that the empathy and affection I had for the club were the same. But it gets to a point where, for them, money is more important than anything. The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head.
“I told the directors that, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision, because the manager wanted me. If I had said I wanted to leave, they would have let me go.”
Al Hilal would be his most likely destination should he seal a move to Saudi Arabia.
Al Ittihad, Al Nassr and Al Ahli have all been linked with moves in recent months, too.
