Asking price of 35 million! Turkish Super Lig giants want to sign Bruno Fernandes, but the chance of Manchester United agreeing is almost zero

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico has just ended, and a puzzling piece of news has emerged from the European transfer market.

According to Turkish media outlet Sporx, Turkish Super Lig giants Galatasaray are interested in acquiring Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.

To be honest, it's not surprising that Galatasaray are interested in Bruno Fernandes. After all, there have been plenty of rumors about him over the past two years, not only from Saudi Arabian giants but also even rumors of Real Madrid's interest.

But what is Galatasaray's offer? A transfer fee of 35 million euros, with a 3+1 year contract! You read that right, it's 35 million.

Although Bruno Fernandes's current market value is also 35 million, to be honest, trying to take him away from Manchester United at this price is nothing short of wishful thinking. As fans put it: "You can't even buy a leg."

In the winter transfer window of 2020, Manchester United spent a transfer fee of 65 million euros plus 15 million in add-ons to sign Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. In his first season at United, he delivered a "top-class" performance, scoring 12 goals and providing 8 assists in 22 appearances across all competitions. In his second season, he had 28 goals and 17 assists in 58 games, and then went on to record double-digit assists for five consecutive seasons.

Last season, he broke the Premier League single-season assist record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne with 21 assists. As a result, he was named the Premier League Player of the Season and selected in the Opta Team of the Season.

According to BBC statistics, he created 136 chances, a full 58 more than the second-placed player; his 21 assists, 33 big chances created, and 98 chances created from open play all led the Premier League.

Moreover, after Michael Carrick took over, Bruno Fernandes was pushed forward to the number 10 position, where he provided 12 assists in 16 Premier League games, being fully unleashed. How could Manchester United sell such a key player at a "giveaway price"? For United, the departure of Casemiro already requires them to spend over a hundred million to fill the gap, and they might not even be able to do so. If they let Bruno Fernandes leave this summer, it would be impossible to find a replacement of the same level in the transfer market. Even if there were one, it would cost several times the price. Look at the signings of "M Fei" by Manchester City and "Rogers" by Chelsea this summer, both exceeding 110 million pounds.

Perhaps Galatasaray also know that this price is not enough to sway Manchester United, so they have offered personal terms that are quite generous, hoping to find a breakthrough through the player.

They will follow the contract model of Victor Osimhen, offering Bruno Fernandes a salary package that includes bonuses and image rights, with an annual income of up to 21 million euros, of which 15 million euros is a fixed salary. However, Turkish media also disclosed that Fernandes's side had demanded a guaranteed income of 25 million euros per year including bonuses back in January, and there is still room for negotiation between the two parties.

So is it possible that Bruno Fernandes will be swayed by Galatasaray? The chances are slim. According to the Manchester Evening News and renowned journalist Ben Jacobs, the possibility of Fernandes leaving this summer is "very slim." He is very eager to lead the team as captain in the Champions League. Last summer, he rejected a massive offer from Saudi Arabia and has told his teammates and those around him that he intends to stay. His contract includes a 65 million euro release clause that only applies to clubs outside England, and Manchester United have a one-year extension option.

That's the crux of the issue! Bruno Fernandes himself does not want to leave.

Last season, Michael Carrick returned to Old Trafford to take charge in a critical moment. He led Manchester United to a strong rebound, ultimately finishing third in the league and returning to the Champions League. Although Bruno Fernandes is already 31, he still has ambition and certainly hopes to lead United to "conquer new territories" on this top stage.

Moreover, if Bruno Fernandes were willing to leave Manchester United for a high salary, he wouldn't need to go to Galatasaray. After all, the Saudi side has never given up on signing him and has already offered an even more "astronomical" salary. Staying at United to play in a top league, and then moving to Saudi Arabia for a "retirement" in a few years—wouldn't that be a better deal?

Furthermore, Bruno Fernandes's contract expires next summer, and Manchester United hold a one-year extension option. The phrase "very slim possibility" is the most appropriate way to describe Galatasaray's hopes.

In the end, this rumor is essentially a "probing attack" by Galatasaray. Buying a captain in his prime who just broke the Premier League assist record and was named Player of the Season for 35 million euros is nothing short of a pipe dream in today's transfer market. Manchester United will not let him go, and Bruno Fernandes does not want to leave either. Galatasaray's 35 million offer is more like a way to "add some fun" to the otherwise dull transfer market.