FC Barcelona has opened talks to possibly sign Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes according to El Nacional, which cited anonymous sources.
Under new part-owner and minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Red Devils are expected to make a much-needed summer clearout which could involve selling off members of Erik ten Hag’s squad.
The Dutch manager himself is expected to stay at Old Trafford according to the Daily Mail in the UK, yet that doesn’t mean that other key figures at the Premier League giants won’t be shown the exit door.
According to The Mirror, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund are the only members of Ten Hag’s underperforming side that haven’t been put up for sale – and this includes his captain Bruno Fernandes.
On Thursday, El Nacional reports that his agent Jorge Mendes, who is close to the Catalans’ president Joan Laporta, has offered Fernandes to FC Barcelona, who have in turn made the first contact on how much the Portuguese would cost.
The newspaper explains that United would be willing to include Fernandes in any potential deal that brings Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford, though the former player himself doesn’t appear to be considering a move away from his current club at the moment.
“I don’t have thoughts for other things at the moment. It doesn’t just depend on me,” he said, when probed on his future by DAZN Portugal this week.
“So, if you want me to be very honest, if I have to think about not continuing in the Premier League, it won’t be until after the Euros.
“We can end the season by winning the FA Cup, then we have the European Championship, which is very important for us.
“Nothing will take my focus away from this end of the championship, the FA Cup and the European Championship. There is nothing more important than that at the moment,” Fernandes insisted, before revealing that he feels wanted in northwestern England, where he has been for five seasons.
“A player always has to want to be here, but at the same time, you have to want him to stay. At the moment, I feel there’s that on both sides” he stated.
“I’m not thinking too much about the future, not least because, obviously, this season hasn’t been at the level I’d hoped for, either individually or collectively, so far.”
“I want to be competitive, I want to compete, I want to win,” stated the 29-year-old, who has a contract until mid-2026 with the Red Devils.