Manchester United have opened preliminary contract talks with club captain Bruno Fernandes to tie the midfielder to a new deal at Old Trafford.
Discussions between the Premier League club and representatives for the 31-year-old have begun, with 10 months remaining on his current contract worth £220,000 a week. Manchester United retain an option to extend the agreement by a further year.
Despite fresh speculation surrounding Fernandes during the summer transfer window, United executives remain adamant that they want him to stay and aim to reach a final agreement before the end of the year.
The move follows an outstanding performance on Sunday, when Fernandes scored a hat-trick and provided an assist in United's 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town. The display came at the end of a week in which he was crowned PFA Player of the Year, the annual award voted on by professional players in English football.
Transfer interest from Galatasaray and Serie A
Fernandes emerged as a primary target for Galatasaray during the summer. The Turkish Super Lig club was prepared to offer the midfielder a four-year contract that would double his current wages, along with a £3.5 million signing-on fee.
Italian Serie A sides Juventus and AC Milan have also been monitoring his situation in Manchester. A £56.7 million release clause in his contract expired in July without being activated.
The current contract negotiations follow intense speculation last summer when Fernandes came close to leaving Manchester United for Al-Hilal. His agent, Miguel Pinho, held talks in Riyadh with the Saudi Pro League club, who offered Fernandes a contract worth around £200 million over three years and proposed a £100 million transfer fee to United.
Fernandes ultimately rejected the offer to remain at Old Trafford, but later admitted he felt hurt that United were prepared to accept the bid from Al-Hilal.
Player statistics and commitment to Old Trafford
The midfielder has recorded 110 goals and 109 assists in 329 appearances for Manchester United since joining from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in 2020. Last season, he set a Premier League record by providing 21 assists.
Speaking last week, Fernandes underlined his desire to remain at the club and continue competing at the highest level under manager Michael Carrick.
"For me, it's about being the best I can to keep myself playing with the best, and playing with the best is playing in the Premier League and playing for Man United," Fernandes said.
"The goals (target) and everything that are set to my season every year is always the same. I don't change, and it doesn't change by being here for a longer period or a smaller one," he added.
"I play at the strength the manager needs me to play, and then if I'm not capable or able to do it, I need to step aside. I think every player needs to understand their timings, their moments."
