Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has rejected the club's initial proposal for a new contract, although negotiations remain ongoing and the midfielder's priority is still to remain at Old Trafford.
According to Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri, United's first offer was not sufficient to persuade the 31-year-old Portugal international to extend his stay beyond his current deal, which runs until 2027 with an option for another year.
“Manchester United have offered Bruno Fernandes a new contract, but the Portuguese midfielder has rejected the proposal,†Tavolieri wrote on X.
“The offer included only €500k more per year, which was not enough to convince Fernandes to extend. As things stand, Bruno Fernandes could leave Manchester United as a free agent next summer.â€
However, transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano said Fernandes' rejection should not be interpreted as a decision to leave the club, describing the situation as a negotiation over the terms of a new agreement.
“Someone said that Bruno Fernandes rejected a contract proposal from Manchester United and that Bruno could leave on a free transfer in summer 2027. Let me clarify two things on this,†Romano said on his YouTube channel.
“First point, leaving on a free. Bruno is out of contract in 2027, but there is an option to extend the contract for one more season. So Manchester United are absolutely protected.â€
Romano added: “Second, it's not about rejecting a contract. It's about negotiating. That's different. To say no and to say, ‘I want this, you want that, let's try to find a solution' are two different things.â€
He said United and Fernandes had not reached an agreement but stressed that discussions were continuing, with the relationship between the player and club remaining strong.
“For sure, Bruno Fernandes and United, while I'm recording this video, don't have an agreement on the new contract. But Manchester United and Bruno Fernandes are negotiating, and the negotiations are ongoing,†Romano said.
The major issues under discussion include Fernandes' salary, the length of the proposed contract and the release clause in his existing deal, which Romano said is worth about €65m.
“It's about the salary. Don't forget that Rashford returned to Manchester United, and so Rashford's salary is obviously a point,†he said. “Then there is the length of the contract. That's an important point.â€
“And then there is the release clause, because Bruno has a release clause in his current contract at United of around €65m. Now they have to understand whether to keep the clause, remove the clause, change the numbers, when to activate it, how many years it is valid for.â€
Romano said the negotiations were particularly important because Fernandes, who joined United from Sporting CP in January 2020, is entering the latter stage of his playing career. The midfielder has made 327 appearances for the club, scoring 107 goals and providing 108 assists.
“For sure, it's an important moment. That's a negotiation. There is no need for panic or drama,†Romano said, as United continue discussions with their captain ahead of the new season.
