Bruno Fernandes: Galatasaray storm into race for Man United star | OneFootball

Galatasaray have stormed into the race for Bruno Fernandes after their president declared the Manchester United captain a key target, according to a bombshell report from Türkiye.

“Operation Bruno”

Turkish Football reveals

has identified Fernandes as a “landmark signing” to lead the club into a “new era” of success in the Champions League.

“Özbek is determined to secure a world-class No. 10 who can elevate Galatasaray’s global brand,” the report states. “Despite Fernandes being a central figure at Old Trafford, the Galatasaray leadership believes that the combination of a lucrative long-term contract and the allure of leading a historic Champions League campaign could tempt the Portuguese playmaker.”

Galatasaray’s plan is to surround Fernandes with “elite veterans” to create a side capable of competing with heavyweights on the continent.

Well-placed sources indicate Özbek is willing to tear up the existing structure at Rams Park to “orchestrate the financial package required for such a blockbuster deal.” The club’s executive branch will be tasked with “bringing in high-level sponsorship” to fund this “Star Policy” – with Fernandes seen as the leading target for the new approach.

The Lions are understood to be willing to table a wage packet “previously unseen” in Turkish football in order to lure the Portugal international to Istanbul, with figures reaching as high as €15 million (£13m) a year.

Favourable tax laws in Türkiye mean a footballer’s salary can be worth much more when playing for a Süper Lig side than a Premier League one, even if the base wage is similar. If Fernandes were to be taking home £13m a year with Galatasaray, it would dwarf the amount he receives in England after taxation.

Just ask Victor Osimhen.

Fact or Fiction?

There are two important strands of this story to pay attention to from a United perspective.

Firstly, while Fernandes’ future is uncertain this summer as his contract contains a £57 million release clause for clubs outside of England, he would not entertain a move to Türkiye at this stage of his career. The 31-year-old maestro rebuffed advances from the Saudi Pro League last year, with even more eye-watering sums on offer than from Galatasaray, in favour of remaining at the elite level of European football.

Secondly, Özbek is preparing for a presidential election as the incumbent. He successfully launched the big-money capture of Osimhen from Napoli last summer, while the Lions are top of the league and on track to win their fourth successive league title.

There is only so much a sitting ruler can do to offer hope and excitement for the future after overseeing a period of unrelenting success. However, a high-profile recruitment drive, centred around the acquisition of world-class operators from major European clubs, provides exactly that.

Final Thoughts

Galatasaray know they have no chance of signing Fernandes any time soon; but a public declaration of intent to do so gives their president every chance of remaining at the helm of the club for the foreseeable future.

A more worrying development for United fans would be if Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain, two sides linked with a move for their captain, decided to trigger his release clause in order to add the best player in the Premier League to their ranks – because that is an offer he would undoubtedly be unable to refuse.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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