Bruno Fernandes needed by Real Madrid as Man Utd braced for file switch bid

On Mar 29, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes is a transfer target for Real Madrid – giving the cash-strapped Red Devils a major dilemma

20:30, 29 Mar 2025Updated 20:44, 29 Mar 2025

Manchester United could face losing their captain and top goalscorer Bruno Fernandes this summer(Image: Getty Images)

Bruno Fernandes has emerged as a shock £90million target for Real Madrid.

Daily Star Sport can reveal that Real, the most-successful club in the world, have been represented at virtually every Manchester United match recently – both at home and away.

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And the subject of their scouting missions is Old Trafford star Fernandes, 30, creating a major dilemma for the cash-strapped United hierarchy.

United boss Ruben Amorim doesn’t want to lose his inspirational captain, but United’s desire to make cuts and raise money means they would have to consider a big offer for the midfielder.

Real are planning a squad overhaul at the end of the season, which includes the signing of England right back Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool on a free transfer.

Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid are big admirers of Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes(Image: Getty Images)

And Fernandes is being eyed as a top signing who could also be a potential successor to Luka Modric, 39.

The former Tottenham midfielder recently became the oldest player to appear for Real in their trophy-laden history.

But Modric, after a stellar career, is out of contract at the end of the season. And even if he signs a 12-month deal, his time in the Spanish capital is clearly drawing to a close.

That is one of the reasons Fernandes, under contract at Old Trafford until 2027 – plus the option of an additional year – is in the Bernabeu frame.

A £90m transfer would be United’s record sale, eclipsing the £80m that Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo in June 2009. Fernandes joined United in January 2020 from Sporting Lisbon in a £68m deal.

The Portuguese star has 95 goals for the Red Devils in 227 games in all competitions. He is also the club’s top scorer this season, with eight goals in 28 Premier League games, and has been in a rich vein of form since February.

Fernandes bagged a hat-trick in the 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad in the Europa League at the start of this month and he has notched 16 goals and 16 assists in 44 games in all competitions.

Bruno Fernandes has scored seven goals in his last seven games for Manchester United(Image: PA)

The United skipper recently spoke of his desire to overtake Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskajer in the United goalscoring charts and to reach 300 appearances for the club.

He is 20th on the all-time scoring list at Old Trafford, with Cole on 121 goals and Solskjaer on 126. Fernandes said: “From Sandy Turnbull [101 goals] it’s a long way up. 121 for Andy Cole, then 126 for Ole.

“I hope to overtake them and it will be a good sign for us as a club that I’m scoring so many goals.

“Hopefully I’m going to go up and up. I hope to score as many as I can to help the club – and also help my team-mates to score more and more.”

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Fernandes, who has only missed two of United’s 46 matches this season – because of suspension – added: “I think 300 games for any club, it’s very, very special.

“I want to play as many games as I can, to always be available for the team and try to help as much as I can do to help the club and play more and more, I will try my best to do it.”