Manchester United is now concerned about Bruno Fernandes leaving this summer window, with a transfer fee of just €65 million! Replacing him could easily cost over €100 million.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was once a player the club considered selling, yet now they might worry about losing him this summer. Recognized as the club’s top acquisition since Ferguson’s retirement, he was recently named by supporters in the best Red Devils lineup spanning 2005 to 2025.

Van der Sar/Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra/Bruno Fernandes, Roy Keane, Scholes/Cristiano Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy, Rooney. Among all eleven, only Bruno Fernandes is from the post-Ferguson era. He has contributed to 200 goals, including 104 scored and 96 assists, second only to Rooney in pace. After returning to the number 10 role, Bruno’s strengths have once again overshadowed his weaknesses.

Bruno often watches matches on his phone during away trips with Manchester United. On a recent journey, while teammates rested, he was busy analyzing a Portugal U19 game. It is said many at the club already see him as a future coach due to his outstanding leadership skills; he is always two or three steps ahead and demonstrates this on the pitch by guiding players like Amad and Shola.

Bruno’s contract includes a release clause that becomes active in 2026. According to the reputable BBC, the Portuguese midfielder can transfer to a club outside England for €65 million (£57 million). Last season, the Saudi Pro League wanted to sign Bruno for £100 million, but now he could move for nearly half that price.

In January, Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the existence of this clause but emphasized that Bruno was focused on Manchester United at the time. "Bruno’s contract has a release clause that doesn’t apply to Premier League clubs, only to overseas ones. The fee is just over €60 million, so many clubs can afford it. Ultimately, it depends on Bruno’s wishes; he has said no to Saudi offers before, with the interested buyer in the summer window being Al Hilal. Bruno decided to stay at United then, but the clause remains valid for summer 2026."

Romano added, "Bruno will decide his next step; his future in the 2026 summer transfer window is entirely in his hands. Currently, his focus is fully on Manchester United, aiming to perform at his best for the club and then for Portugal in the World Cup."

Since Carrick took over, he has rated Bruno as the best-performing player in the Premier League right now. Although his goal tally is down, his goal against Tottenham was his first in seven games. In the previous five matches, Bruno contributed six assists, including five assists in four Premier League games, ranking first in the league with 12 assists and even challenging the single-season assist records of Henry and De Bruyne with 20.

Before the match against West Ham, Bruno had created 74 Premier League chances for Manchester United this season, 27 more than second-placed Declan Rice of Arsenal. After Amrabat’s dismissal, in five games, Bruno generated 23 chances. The Portuguese midfielder enjoys playing in advanced positions; against Tottenham, he touched the ball 46 times in the attacking third, marking his second-highest personal tally this Premier League season.

Amrabat moved Bruno deeper to organize attacks, but the United captain prefers roaming freely and struggles with the defensive discipline required for the central midfield role in a 3-4-3 formation. Now, in Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 setup, Bruno has more freedom. When mentioning Carrick, he highlighted that the new coach gives players responsibility along with the liberty to make their own decisions.

In terms of form, Bruno is indeed one of the best players in the Premier League right now. If Manchester United lose him, signing a player of similar caliber would likely cost over £100 million and may not even be possible. In a summer when rebuilding the midfield is necessary, replacing Bruno would not be an ideal situation.

Recent rumors about Chelsea player Cole Palmer, who might be a target for the Red Devils, suggest he would not be an easy signing, even though he has supported Manchester United since childhood.

After scoring a hat-trick in the last Premier League round, Palmer covered his ears, signaling indifference to transfer rumors linking him to Manchester United. What he might not realize is that this gesture is one of Bruno Fernandes’ signature goal celebrations!

Bruno praised Palmer as an excellent player and added a clapping emoji. Some Manchester United fans presumptuously think Bruno is trying to convince Palmer to join the Red Devils. But that is impossible; with Bruno in the team, there is no place for Palmer.

Regarding the rumors, Palmer remains unfazed. He said, "People always have their speculations. But I feel I already have a solid foundation, so I don’t pay much attention to these talks. Life under Liam Rosenior is great; he gives us confidence and lets us be ourselves and express freely. Once I’m fully fit, you’ll definitely see my best performances."