Haber bu;
Galatasaray are prepared to double Bruno Fernandes’s wages in a bid to lure the Portugal midfielder away from Manchester United.
The Turkish champions are thought to be ready to test United’s resolve over their captain this week by proposing a package worth €50m (£42.8m) including add-ons.
Dursun Özbek, the Galatasaray president, is determined to sign Fernandes and the club are understood to be willing to give the United captain a four-year contract worth €21m (£18.3m) net annually, plus a further €4m up-front signing-on bonus.
Turkey’s favourable tax system means Fernandes would stand to double his current take-home pay if he moved to Galatasaray.
Fernandes, 31, has entered the final 12 months of his contract at United, which is worth about £200,000 a week, although the club have the option to extend by another year.
Telegraph Sport understands that United are steadfastly opposed to selling Fernandes, whom they consider integral to their plans.
It is also understood that the release clause in Fernandes’s contract, that would have enabled him to move for €65m (£55.6m) this summer, expired last month.
Fernandes
Fernandes featured in United’s final three pre-season matches after returning from the World Cup Credit: Ash Donelon/Getty Images
That seems unlikely to deter Galatasaray, though, and it is possible they could submit a package in the next few days worth an initial €35m, payable in three instalments until 2028, with a further €15m in add-ons.
Özbek is said to be personally overseeing the move. Fernandes, who has also been linked with Juventus and AC Milan this summer, has previously turned down substantial money-spinning offers from Saudi Arabia.
The performance-related add-ons include payments of €1.5m per Super Lig title win, up to a maximum of €6m, with a further €2m payable if Fernandes becomes the league’s top assist provider in his first year or €1.5m if achieved in his second season.
United would also be guaranteed €1m if Galatasaray qualify for the Champions League next season with a further €1m payable if the Turkish club reach the last 16 and another €3.5m if they get to the quarter-finals.
Fernandes has consistently challenged United to ensure they can match his ambitions and competing for the biggest trophies has always been his overriding motivation.
Michael Carrick, the United head coach, is keen to strengthen his squad before the close of the window in a fortnight with midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos and back-up goalkeeper Karl Darlow their only senior signings in the window to date.
United are in the market for a left-back and it remains to be seen whether they seek to bring in another midfielder or forward.
Manchester United firmly opposed to selling captain, who would stand to double current take-home pay by joining Turkish champions
www.telegraph.co.uk