Man United ‘preparing to lose Bruno Fernandes’ after ‘staggering’ release clause news
Man United have refused to rule out letting Bruno Fernandes leave as Saudi Pro League clubs are plotting renewed bids for his signature.
That is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade and remains very well-connected there, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 31-year-old could leave sooner than many expected.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28 December that Fernandes could leave Man United in January and may already have played his last game for the club.
Fernandes claimed Man United planned to sell him in a recent bombshell interview, as he revealed the club wanted to accept an offer from Al Hilal before he snubbed the move.
Meanwhile, reports that the Portugal international has a £52.5million release clause which can be triggered by clubs outside of the Premier League have added to the uncertainty.
Man United to accept new Bruno Fernandes offer
Brown told Football Insider on 25 November that Man United could accept offers for Fernandes as they aim to make room for big-money signings.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted the Red Devils are now preparing for their captain to leave in the near future.
“I can’t believe they ever considered offers for Bruno Fernandes,” he told Football Insider.
“But they did, they refused to rule out letting him go and they were open to it if the right offer came in, and as far as I’m aware that is still the case.
“They should have been saying Bruno Fernandes is the star player, they want to keep him as a key part of this team, but that hasn’t been the case.
“If there is this release clause in his contract, it’s staggering that they would have agreed to it, because in that case they wouldn’t even be getting a huge fee for him.
“Everything that happened in the summer destabilised things, will have caused issues for him, and they’re still suggesting they could let him go.
“So now, if those clubs are still interested as I expect they are, then we could be seeing Bruno Fernandes leave, and that will be a big, big loss to Man United.
“If it were up to me, there would be no way they let him go, but that’s not the situation they’re in and it seems they’re prepared to let him leave.”
Could Fernandes leave Man United in January?
Football Insider revealed in October that Fernandes does not plan to leave Man United in the mid-season window, despite ongoing speculation about his future.
Bruno turned down Al Hilal’s offer during the summer as he planned to help United turn around their fortunes after a dreadful season last time out.
As a result, he is keen to see out the season under Ruben Amorim and will make a new decision about his future after the season ends.
Football Insider revealed in September that Fernandes could be tempted to leave Man United if their performances do not show significant improvement.
With Saudi Pro League clubs still circling, that departure may come sooner rather than later, and a January exit may become a possibility after all.
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