Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has shed light on why talks between Manchester United and Bruno Fernandes over a new contract are currently stalling.
Stalemate
After a magical 2025/26 season that saw him claim the Football Writers’ Award and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, Fernandes has started the new campaign in excellent form. He registered a record 21 Premier League assists, surpassing the tally previously shared by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.
He currently has four goals and one assist to his name in the new campaign.
There is growing uncertainty over Fernandes’ United future, with his deal set to expire next summer. United retain the option of extending his stay by an additional 12 months.
But the club want to tie him down to fresh terms as he is considered a key part of the future despite turning 32 last week.
David Ornstein recently revealed that discussions are not progressing and now, Romano has revealed why. According to the Italian journalist, there are key details that are yet to be clarified including whether or not a release clause should be embedded and the validity period.
Romano clarifies Fernandes situation
Romano said on his YouTube channel, “Manchester United and Bruno Fernandes started discussing a new contract before the World Cup. This news didn’t hit the media yet at that point, but now it’s everywhere because the reality is that before, during and right after the World Cup, let’s say until the end of July, several clubs tried to sign Bruno Fernandes.”
“European clubs and also clubs from Turkey, Galatasaray, with a big proposal, plus, as every single summer, Saudi clubs calling, trying and attempting because from Saudi they wanted Bruno for a very long time.”
“So there were attempts. Bruno decided to stay. Bruno decided to continue at United. United only wanted Bruno to stay as a crucial player this season, including with Champions League football. Then there is a clause in Bruno’s contract to extend for one more season, so United remain in control of the situation.”
“The conversation between United and Bruno over a new contract remains ongoing. It’s not off, it’s not collapsed, it’s not over. They are discussing, they are talking, but from what I understand, at the moment there is still no agreement.”
Romano continued, “They had conversations in July, in June, in August and also in the recent weeks. Still no agreement because, for Bruno, this is obviously a very important contract.”
“Financially, the salary and length of contract are important. He’s no longer super young. He’s still a fantastic player, but no longer super young, so maybe Bruno has, I don’t know, two or three important contracts left. And so it’s an important one.”
“There are several points, including the release clause. Bruno has a release clause in his current contract at United. They have to decide whether to include the clause or not, how much it should be and when it would be valid. So there are several points to clarify. That’s why there is still no agreement.”
Fernandes and his teammates are next in action on Wednesday whenthey face Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Featured image by David Lidstrom/Getty Images
