According to several rumors, Bruno Fernandes’ time is running out, and Fabrizio Romano has made it clear that a Manchester United player worth a fortune will depart at the end of the 2025–2026 campaign.
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS colleagues came over, Manchester United has worked hard to lower the average age of their team. Since the ownership transition, Man Utd has only signed players who were 26 years of age or younger when they arrived.
Additionally, the Red Devils have taken action to reduce their enormous payroll. Additionally, Man Utd is anticipated to let go of their top earner next summer, per the most recent information from trade expert Romano.
At Old Trafford, Casemiro earns the highest income, approximately £350,000 each week. Although United has a club option for an additional season, the experienced Brazilian’s contract expires next summer.
Romano discussed Casemiro’s near-departure from the team this summer on YouTube, emphasizing that United is unlikely to exercise their option for the 2026–2027 season.
A new chapter at a lower level is thus in store for Casemiro, who is probably in his “final season” with the team.
“Keep an eye on Casemiro for 2026,” declared Romano. “This summer, Casemiro was never really close to leaving Manchester United.
“There were some calls from Saudi Arabia around May, but never a concrete proposal.
“We had reports also about Al Ittihad but from what I’m told Al Ittihad never made a bid in July or August.
“But for 2026 I think there is a concrete chance to see Casemiro leaving Man Utd. This could be the final season for Casemiro in European high level football. Maybe trying something different from 2026.
“This is not something decided or guaranteed, but from what I’m hearing in the industry there is a feeling that Casemiro might decide to take a different step from 2026.
“For Man Utd he remains an important player but also on a big salary, and so to save that salary in 2026 could be important for Man Utd in terms of FFP, waiting to see if they’ll be in Europe, which kind of European competition etc.
“So obviously we’re at the beginning of this season but Casemiro is one to watch for 2026 and what I can guarantee now is Casemiro is fully focused on Manchester United and he never wanted to go this summer.
“Casemiro was not encouraging any negotiations with any Saudi clubs. He was very happy to stay at United and continue in this project even without European football.
“Full focus on the Red Devils and then in 2026 we will see.”
Bruno Fernandes leaving too?
According to several sources, Bruno Fernandes, the captain and United’s second-highest income at £300,000 per week, may depart the team at the same time as Casemiro.
When the window was still open on August 26, Romano said: “Bruno is happy at Manchester United.” Does Bruno have a possibility to play in the Saudi Pro League in the future, then? Yes, I believe.
“[Saudi sides] have always been there and they will return to the table, for sure, because they love Bruno Fernandes. His quality, his leadership… so, they will return.
“But at the moment it’s not something close or imminent for Bruno to join Al Ittihad.
“So at the moment Man Utd keep thinking Bruno will complete this season at the club and then we will see from 2026.”
Romano’s reporting was echoed by a separate update from the Daily Mail that stated ‘Bruno Fernandes will be open to leaving Manchester United at the end of the season after so far rejecting strong interest from Saudi Arabia this summer.’
The report added: ‘Confidential understands the United captain wants to stay at Old Trafford for another season and avoid any disruption before playing for Portugal in the World Cup next summer.
‘However, Fernandes would then be open to a new project as he approaches his 32nd birthday, and would consider a move to Saudi, MLS or one of Europe’s major leagues.
‘The former Sporting Lisbon star would have one year left on his £280,000-a-week contract, although United have the option to extend it by another 12 months.
‘The Old Trafford hierarchy might be prepared to listen to offers for their best player next summer having just spent £130m on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, who have replaced Fernandes in the two No.10 positions in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.’
If United were to part ways with Casemiro and Fernandes at the same time they’d slash roughly £650,000-a-week off their wage bill.
Of course, new midfielders would then be required and Man Utd already have plans to smash their transfer record for a dynamic player they agreed personal terms with last month…
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