Bruno Fernandes: €60m release clause set to be triggered by La Liga giants, it’s a dream move for him – report

Manchester United never looked like scoring against Aston Villa after their skipper Bruno Fernandes was taken off at the break. Despite playing in a deeper role, Fernandes has contributed to more goals, 12, than any of his teammates this season. Now, Ruben Amorim will have to field a lineup without his best player, who is set for a spell on the sidelines due to a soft tissue injury.  Since his arrival from Sporting CP in 2020, the Portuguese maestro has featured in 212 of United’s 221 Premier League games. As such, it is difficult to imagine a United eleven bereft of Fernandes.  At the moment, this is a temporary concern. However, if Real Madrid get their way, United could be forced to find a permanent replacement for their talisman sooner rather than later. Real Madrid set their sights on Bruno Fernandes According to Fichajes, Real are considering signing Bruno Fernandes in 2026. It is claimed Los Blancos are searching for a midfielder with experience, pedigree and leadership qualities as they are still reeling from the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.  Bruno Fernandes Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Premier League17572–1,477′ EFL Cup1––––45′ Total18572–1,522′ The 31-year-old has emerged as an attractive target following the emergence of a release clause worth around €60m in his contract at United. It is believed Fernandes’ clause is valid for clubs outside of the Premier League. Further, the Portugal international has previously suggested that he would like to play in Spain once he leaves United. Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming Bayern Munich are also monitoring Fernandes. Manchester United interested in Angelo Stiller Meanwhile, United are scanning European football to find Fernandes’ potential replacement.  Amorim is thought to be a fan of VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller, who is known for his exceptional passing ability. For the festive period, the United head coach will have to look at internal solutions. In that regard, Mainoo, who is in direct competition with Fernandes, should be his preferred option. However, Mainoo is unlikely to be fit to face Newcastle United on Boxing Day. At Villa Park, Amorim introduced Lisandro Martinez to fill Fernandes’ void in the middle of the park. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Vishal Singh Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets, including North Star Network. Vishal has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Delhi University. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Vishal also manages a leading MUFC fan page, The Red Devils, on Facebook with over a million likes. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!