Juventus sound out Bruno Fernandes camp while Manchester United step up talks over record deal

Juventus have made discreet enquiries about signing Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes this summer, even as the Premier League club move closer to tying the Portugal midfielder to a lucrative new contract at Old Trafford.

The Serie A side have begun exploring whether a deal for the 31-year-old could be feasible, sounding out his representatives in what has been described as an initial fact‐finding approach rather than a formal bid.

United, however, remain in advanced negotiations over an extension and are confident of securing Fernandes’ long-term future, with all indications pointing towards the playmaker staying in Manchester.

Juventus eye leadership and creativity

According to CaughtOffside, Bruno Fernandes is among the leading attacking midfield options under consideration by Juventus sporting director Frederic Massara ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

The interest is understood to be part of head coach Luciano Spalletti’s plan to add greater technical quality and on‐pitch leadership to his squad, as Juventus look to return to consistent title contention.

The Italian club view Fernandes as an almost ideal profile: a highly experienced midfielder with creativity, goal threat and strong personality, attributes they believe are essential for rebuilding a side capable of challenging for major honours.

His previous experience in Serie A with Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria is also seen as a significant advantage in Turin, with Juventus convinced that his adaptation to the current “Calcio” environment would be simpler than for many overseas targets.

Complex financial hurdles for Juventus

Despite their interest, Juventus face considerable obstacles in trying to prise Fernandes away from Old Trafford.

The report suggests Manchester United would demand a transfer fee in the region of €50m to €75m to consider selling their captain, a range that would require a major financial commitment from the Italian side.

In addition to the fee, Fernandes’ current wage packet is a major barrier. His salary is already at the top end of United’s pay scale and represents a significant challenge for Juventus’ budget, making any potential deal particularly complicated in the current financial climate.

A clause in his contract is believed to set a £56m release figure for clubs outside England, but activating that would still be only one part of an expensive overall package when wages and contract length are factored in.

United in advanced renewal talks

Fernandes is entering the final year of his existing contract, although Manchester United hold an option to extend it by a further season.

Talks over a new agreement have nonetheless moved forward in recent weeks, and sources around the club believe an extended stay at Old Trafford is now the most likely outcome.

The Sun reports that Fernandes remains committed to Manchester United despite interest from several clubs, and that discussions are continuing over improved terms without a full agreement yet in place.

The Portugal international is currently on a weekly salary of around £375,000. Under the proposed new deal, that figure would rise towards £400,000 a week, which would make him the highest‐paid player in the United squad.

Future points towards Old Trafford stay

While Juventus’ monitoring of the situation is regarded as a logical step for a club seeking an elite creative midfielder, a move to Serie A this summer is still considered an outside possibility given the progress of renewal talks in Manchester.

Any transfer would require Juventus not only to commit to a substantial fee but also to match or come close to Fernandes’ significant wage demands, a combination that severely limits the chances of a breakthrough.

Manchester United, for their part, see keeping their captain as a central priority in the club’s ongoing rebuild, viewing him as one of their most decisive players and their primary creative force.

Club officials are therefore keen to finalise the new contract as soon as possible to avoid fresh speculation over the Portugal star’s future. For now, all signs suggest that remaining at Old Trafford is the likeliest path for Bruno Fernandes, despite Juventus’ quiet attempts to test the waters over a potential move.