Manchester United have no interest in allowing Bruno Fernandes to leave the club this summer despite interest from Galatasaray, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.

Fernandes’ future has been in the spotlight throughout the summer, with the Red Devils’ midfielder having a year left on his contract. He previously turned down a mouth-watering £65 million contract proposal to join Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal last summer.

The 31-year-old later insisted that he wanted to stay at United because of the difficult situation they found themselves in. His team finished 15th in the previous campaign, and he told Wayne Rooney that he didn’t want to jump ship during a crisis.

Last season, the Old Trafford outfit bounced back and sealed Champions League qualification after finishing third. INEOS handed Michael Carrick the managerial job full-time and these factors were thought to have led to Fernandes staying put and even signing a new contract.

Galatasaray Ready Offer For Man Utd’s Fernandes

via Reuters

GIVEMESPORT sources understand that Galatasaray are ready to test the waters with an offer of £42.8 million including add-ons for Fernandes. The Turkish giants are prepared to offer the Portugal international a lucrative four-year contract.

Fernandes has not indicated to United he wants to leave to date, and the club are not looking to engage with any club over a sale. Their stance is that he is not available for any price with just days until the new campaign begins.

The Portugal international remains Carrick’s most important player heading into his first season as permanent head coach. A release clause in his current contract, worth £55.6m, expired in July, meaning interested clubs must now make offers for the player.

Man Utd transfer targets

Given that Fernandes turned down a more lucrative offer from Al-Hilal last year, it might not be a hugely concerning situation for the Red Devils. He has the chance to captain Carrick’s team in a new Premier League era, which is perhaps the most open it has been since the now-departed Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City back in 2016.

INEOS Need To Get Fernandes Future Sorted

Galatasaray’s interest in Fernandes is a wake-up call for United to sort out their skipper’s contract. While his current deal does include the option of a further year, heading into a season with his future still the subject of speculation is something INEOS should look to avoid.

Perhaps the higher-ups are prepared to part ways next summer but it doesn’t make much sense given he’s just enjoyed the best season of any post-Sir Alex Ferguson player. His record-breaking assist numbers prove he is the one whom they should be looking to build the team around.

Carrick made his feelings clear during pre-season when asked about Fernandes’ future (via BBC Sport):

United are in a strong negotiating position but so far there has been no agreement over an extension for Fernandes. He’s been with the club since January 2020, arriving from Sporting CP in a £68m deal.

The best men’s and women’s players on EA Sports FC 27 have officially been revealed, with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland leading the way with the highest ratings.

Recently crowned World Cup Golden Ball winner Rodri follows that duo after leading Spain to their second ever World Cup trophy, while the likes of Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham also boast a 90 rating.

Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmati and Khadija Shaw are the best women’s players in FC 27, with Caroline Graham Hansen and Alessia Russo registering ratings in the high 80s.

Here is a look at the best players from both the men’s and women’s game as decided by EA Sports FC 27.

Best Men’s Players on EA Sports FC 27

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Winslow Townson

FC 27 cover star Kylian Mbappe is the top-rated men’s player in the game with a 91 overall rating, but the France and Real Madrid star must share top billing with Erling Haaland, whose stellar World Cup with Norway no doubt helped his case.

There are a number of players among the 90-rated cohort, with Rodri, Vitinha, Dembele, Kane, Pedri and Michael Olise evaluated as being some of the best players in the world

Best Women’s Players on EA Sports FC 27

Alexia Putellas reigns supreme as the best women’s player in EA Sports FC 27, with the Spain and London City Lionesses superstar boasting an overall rating of 91 in the game.

Putellas is followed closely by her compatriot and erstwhile colleague Aitana Bonmati, as well as Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw, with that duo both rated at 90 overall.

Reigning UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev successfully defended his title in the main event of UFC 330, beating Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision.

The win was a history-making one for the Russian grappler as it marked his 17th consecutive victory inside the Octagon, which is a company record.

However, while the 34-year-old is still a champion, he wasn’t quite as dominant as he was down at lightweight, where he held UFC gold before vacating the title to move up to 170lbs.

Islam Makhachev ‘Tested’ at UFC 330

Credit: Zuffa LLC

Although Islam’s grappling was still effective, he struggled to keep his Irish opponent pinned to the mat in the same way that he had done to foes in the lighter weight class.

Some observers, including UFC CEO Dana White, even felt that Machado Garry could have possibly snatched the title if he had gone all out for the victory during the final round of the fight.

UFC commentator Joe Rogan spoke after the bout on why the move up to welterweight presents such a big challenge to Makhachev.

“He [Makhachev] did when he had to do. He was really tested in ways that we haven’t seen him tested before. Although he won by a healthy margin, there were moments where you’re used to Islam having a certain amount of control, and he just didn’t have it over the bigger guy.”

Joe Rogan Warns Islam Makhachev to Avoid Welterweight With ‘Nuclear Power’

The veteran podcaster went on to warn that one fighter, in particular, would be a problem for Islam.

“This was the question after the move up to 170. There are some guys like Michael Morales who are absolutely gigantic. The gap is bigger than it is with Ian Garry.

Ecuador’s Morales is undefeated as a professional, with 19 straight wins and 14 knockouts. The 27-year-old has won each of his last three UFC contests via KO, defeating names such as Neil Magny, Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady.

He is currently the number three ranked welterweight in the UFC, but Rogan urged Makhachev to steer clear of him if he wants to remain atop the 170lbs division.

Makhachev mentioned Morales’ name in his UFC 330 post-fight press conference, but appeared to dismiss the idea of facing him next, stating that he wasn’t sure when he had last fought. The Russian grappler then made it clear that he already had a date and opponent in mind for his next title defence.

Whether Morales is next in line after that fight remains to be seen, but Makhachev has admitted that he doesn’t believe he has long left in his UFC career.

Speaking before UFC 330, he declared:

“I understand I’m not 28 years old; I’m 34 right now. And I don’t have much time. Sometimes, it’s not going like you want in the UFC. You want to fight after three or four months, but it’s not according to your wish.”