Juventus have made discreet enquiries about signing Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes this summer, but any deal is seen as highly unlikely while the Premier League club work to tie down the Portuguese midfielder to an improved contract.
The Serie A side have begun sounding out the player’s camp to understand whether a transfer could be feasible, according to reports in Italy, even as United officials remain confident they will secure Fernandes’ long-term future at Old Trafford.
CaughtOffside reports that Juventus sporting director Frederic Massara has placed Fernandes among the leading targets being assessed for an attacking midfield role in the next transfer window, as part of a plan to add greater creativity and leadership to the squad.
Juventus weigh bold move
Juventus are understood to view a move for Fernandes as a bold but strategic step in line with coach Luciano Spalletti’s vision to upgrade the team’s technical quality and on-pitch authority.
The 31-year-old, who wears the armband at Old Trafford, is seen in Turin as an almost ideal profile: an experienced international with proven imagination, goal threat and strong dressing-room presence. Club figures believe those attributes are essential if Juventus are to re-establish themselves as consistent contenders for major trophies.
Fernandes’ previous experience in Serie A – with Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria – is another factor working in his favour from Juventus’ perspective. His familiarity with Italian football and life in the country is considered to reduce the adaptation risk compared with other foreign signings.
The same report states that Juventus have already held “initial contacts” with Fernandes’ representatives to ask about his situation and the possible parameters of a deal, underlining that their interest is genuine rather than merely exploratory.
Major financial hurdles
Despite that interest, the financial reality of any move is described as extremely challenging.
Manchester United are expected to demand a transfer fee in the region of €50m to €75m to part with their captain. On top of that, Fernandes’ current salary is regarded in Turin as a major obstacle, with Juventus wary of committing to a package that would put significant strain on their wage structure.
Those factors combined mean that, under present conditions, concluding a transfer is seen as highly complex, even before United’s stance is fully tested.
Fernandes is entering the final year of his existing deal with Manchester United, although the club retain an option to extend it by a further season. That contractual position gives United some leverage, but also adds urgency to their efforts to secure a longer agreement.
Contract talks progressing at Old Trafford
Talks over a new contract at Old Trafford have made noticeable progress in recent weeks, with United insiders increasingly optimistic that an agreement will be reached to keep Fernandes at the club for several more years.
Officials at Manchester United remain convinced they can finalise an extension and avoid losing one of their most influential players, particularly at a time when the team is still undergoing a significant rebuilding process.
According to The Sun, Fernandes is still committed to staying with Manchester United despite attracting interest from several clubs, including Juventus. The same report says negotiations are ongoing over improved terms, though no final deal has yet been signed.
Fernandes currently earns around £375,000 a week. Should he agree a new contract, his weekly wage is expected to rise towards £400,000, which would make him the highest-paid player in the United squad.
The report also states that his contract contains a £56m release clause, applicable only to clubs from outside England who seek to sign him.
Move to Italy remains unlikely
For Juventus, closely tracking Fernandes’ situation is viewed as a logical step in case an opportunity unexpectedly arises. However, with contract discussions advancing positively between the player and Manchester United, the prospect of him returning to Serie A this summer is considered remote.
To tempt Fernandes away from Old Trafford, Juventus would need not only to meet a substantial transfer fee but also to present a salary offer on a similar level to his current earnings or any improved United package – a combination that makes the operation particularly difficult.
Manchester United, for their part, are fully aware of Fernandes’ importance as a key playmaker and one of the central figures in their project. The club are therefore keen to close the renewal as soon as possible to avoid further speculation over his future.
All indications at this stage point towards Fernandes remaining at Old Trafford, with Juventus’ interest unlikely to progress unless there is an unexpected breakdown in contract talks between the player and Manchester United.
