Bruno Fernandes is Manchester United’s captain and most important player. How realistic is it that we lose him this summer?
Manchester United’s best transfer deal in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era is indisputably the 2020 signing of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting.
Fans recently voted Fernandes into the best XI of players to represent the club between 2000 and 2025, the only non-Ferguson player to make the list.
Fernandes has netted more than 100 goals and he is almost at the same number of assists too. He has been a beacon of quality and consistency during a whirlwind six years for the club.
You can add loyalty to his list of traits too, with Fernandes rejecting a mega-offer from Saudi clubs in 2025 to take on a new challenge, after United’s worst ever Premier League season.
This coming summer Fernandes’ loyalty will be put to the test again, courtesy of his release clause, which will likely prove tempting for top clubs.
How worried should United be about Bruno Fernandes’ release clause?
Getty Images 
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesBruno Fernandes release clause
Bruno Fernandes is widely reported to have a release clause in his contract that will come into effect this summer, 2026.
BBC Sport reports: “Fernandes’ contract – which expires in 2027 with the option of an additional year – includes a clause that would allow him to join a club outside England for £56.68m (€65m) provided it is triggered early enough.”
The figure of £57 million is a snip for foreign teams to sign Fernandes, with Saudi clubs willing to pay double that for his signature last season.
Fabrizio Romano further explained the situation on his YouTube channel, and pointed out that Fernandes’ top priority is to stay at Manchester United.
He explained: “There is a release clause in the contract of Fernandes. And the clause is not valid for Premier League clubs. It’s only valid for clubs from abroad.
“It’s slightly over €60m, so there would be the possibility for several clubs to attack. But in that case, it depends on what Bruno wants to do.
“Bruno said already in an interview a few days ago that he said no to Saudi, it was Al-Hilal in the summer transfer window. Bruno wanted to stay at Man Utd, but the clause is going to be still there in summer 2026.
“It’s going to be up to Bruno to decide what he wants to do next and what’s going to be the mission for him on the transfer market for summer 2026. As of now, I can guarantee that the focus of Bruno is completely on Man Utd. Bruno wants to do his best for Man Utd.
“Then there is the World Cup with Portugal as well. But in terms of club football, Bruno only wants to focus on United. He is not planning any transfer.”
We are calling it now… Bruno Fernandes should win Premier League Player of the Season 2025/26
Agree? Disagree? Let us know!
Getty Images Analysis, and how United can keep Fernandes
If Bruno Fernandes was desperate to join the Saudi Pro League he would have gone last summer. The biggest threat could come from European clubs.
Fernandes would still grace the starting line-up for Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or any top Italian club. For £57 million his price tag is going to be tempting for somebody.
It is absolutely vital that United qualify for the Champions League for 2026/27. This will give Fernandes the sporting reason to stay at Old Trafford, showing that this club is ready to compete at the top level again.
If United endured another similar season to last year you could not begrudge him going. But we should be desperate for Fernandes to stick around and continue.
He is only 31 and has plenty of top level football left in him, and United must recognise this and offer him a new contract.
Earlier this week we listed Fernandes as one of three players United should prioritise for new contracts.
Fernandes signing a new deal would eliminate his upcoming release clause and make this upcoming worry a non-issue.
Whether it is Michael Carrick or another new manager coming in, they will surely want to be able to build around Fernandes for the years ahead.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox