Galatasaray are preparing an audacious move to lure Bruno Fernandes away from Manchester United, ready to double the midfielder’s wages in an attempt to test the Red Devils’ resolve, according to the Telegraph.
The Süper Lig champions are believed to be readying a package worth around €50 million, including add-ons, for the 31-year-old this week. Club president Dursun Özbek is said to be personally overseeing the pursuit, with Galatasaray prepared to offer a four-year deal worth €21 million net annually, plus a further €4 million signing-on bonus.
Turkey’s favourable tax regime means Fernandes could roughly double his current take-home pay if he made the move, having earned around £250,000 a week at United.
Fernandes has just 12 months left on his contract, though United retain the option to extend it by a further year. United remain firmly opposed to selling their captain, viewing him as central to their plans, with talks over a new deal already under way.
ALSO: South Africans with most Premier League appearances
A €65 million release clause that would have allowed Galatasaray to sign him this summer expired last month, meaning any deal would now need to be negotiated directly with United.
Reports suggest Galatasaray could follow up with an initial bid of €35 million, payable in instalments through to 2028, plus a further €15 million in performance-related add-ons tied to Süper Lig titles, assist totals and Champions League progress.
AFRICA PICKS: Football tips and predictions
Fernandes, who has also been linked with Juventus and AC Milan this summer, has previously turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia. Manchester United, meanwhile, are also in the market for a left-back as head coach Michael Carrick looks to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.
Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
