Bruno Fernandes could reunite with former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim at AC Milan, with reports suggesting the club is a potential destination for the Portugal international. However, his transfer fee and wages may prove a stumbling block.
The United captain is at odds with current manager Michael Carrick after criticising his tactics in last week's 4-1 away defeat to Como. In response, Carrick dropped Fernandes for the 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth and left him on the bench, despite asking him to warm up in the second half.
Contract and Release Clause Details
Fernandes' contract at Old Trafford expires next summer, but the club has an option to extend it by a year. Reports from Italian outlet Calciomercato understand the San Siro is a potential destination, with a foreign club clause in his contract allowing him to leave the Premier League if a team from abroad bids around £54 million.
This figure may be too significant for AC Milan, who would also struggle to pay his salary, believed to be around £8.54 million per season. Milan and Fernandes would likely have to come to a compromise if he was to depart in January.
Amorim's Reunion with Fernandes
Fernandes was a key player for Amorim during his short stint as United manager, deployed as a deep-lying midfielder next to either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte in Amorim's 3-4-3 formation. Under Amorim, Fernandes contributed 20 goals and 19 assists in 59 matches in all competitions.
At AC Milan, reports from Italy believe Fernandes would operate further forward, just behind fellow countryman Goncalo Ramos. Amorim recently insisted he still has love for United but chose not to comment directly on Carrick's future as manager.
Before his Milan side lost 3-0 to Bournemouth, Amorim said: "The most important thing is that I am here as the manager of Milan, and I need to respect that. What I said when I signed for Manchester United, that I love that club and the people there, remains true.
"What happened since doesn't change that. That's all I want to say on the matter. I've moved on and I'm at another great club now. My club, Milan, has plenty of issues to address.
"I'm focused on my own life and our collective journey here because, as you know, at any big club, challenges are always just around the corner. So, I am fully focused on my work, my team, my players and my staff, not on what's happening at another club.
"But, as I said, it doesn't matter what happened in the past with Manchester United. My feelings from when I first joined that club remain exactly the same. I still love that club."
