Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes could be sold to a potential buyer by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe for a sum of around £70 million, a fresh report said on Sunday. The 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder could realistically finish the season in Saudi Arabia if Al Hilal and Al Ittihad — the two Saudi Pro League (RSL) clubs he has long been linked with — make an offer in the region of the aforementioned sum, the report said.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes to make an ambitious triple signing with the funds raised from selling Bruno Fernandes, according to the report. Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba are all still on Manchester United’s radar, and selling the club captain would be a significant step towards achieving a £250 million triple deal for the youngsters. United are focused on building a team that could become a formidable force in the years to come and are investing in youth. The three players have long been linked with Old Trafford, but financial constraints have previously prevented any move.
Englishmen Wharton or Anderson could potentially serve as direct replacements for Fernandes, who is often rated among United’s best signings in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Former Newcastle United prospect Elliot Anderson reportedly joined Nottingham Forest for a fee of around £35 million and has since established himself as one of the most valuable young players in the Premier League. Since his arrival, the Englishman has become a mainstay in Forest’s midfield.
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Wharton, born in 2004, meanwhile joined Crystal Palace in 2024 on a five-and-a-half-year deal. His versatility lies in his ability to operate both as a central midfielder and a defensive midfielder, combining agility with composure. As per TeamTalk, which broke the news of Fernandes’ United future becoming uncertain, the former Premier League champions would need to shell out £87 million to bring the 21-year-old to Old Trafford.
While Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte — both midfielders — were reportedly declared transfer-ready, the possibility of the captain leaving in January was not widely anticipated. Bruno Fernandes, 31, joined Manchester United in January 2020 and has scored 102 goals for the Red Devils from 306 appearances across all competitions.
