Bruno Fernandes recently emerged as a possible option for Real Madrid due to his contractual situation at Manchester United. There were claims that the Portuguese playmaker had offered himself to the Spanish giants, per ESPN's Rodra (via The Madrid Zone).
It was claimed that Fernandes had even been offered to Madrid this month but the club rejected the chance to sign him. He will have a year left on his contract with United in the summer where he has been a key man for many years.
Fernandes has been superb this season and registered five goals and 12 assists in 21 Premier League games. But the 31-year-old has yet to win the league or Champions League at Old Trafford which might be factored into any decision he makes over his future.
Bruno Fernandes to Real Madrid 'completely fake'
Fabrizio Romano responded to rumors linking Fernandes with a move to Madrid and refuted those claims. The Italian journalist suggested it wouldn't even be on the cards this summer while speaking on his YouTube channel:
“Bruno Fernandes. There were some reports around on Bruno Fernandes offering himself to Real Madrid. Forget about that. Not true. This is not happening. Absolutely not happening. Why? Because Bruno never offered himself to Real Madrid. That story was completely fake."
Romano added that Fernandes' focus is only on United:
“So, Bruno is fully focused on United. Nothing is happening in January. Then in the summer we will see because I am sure from Saudi they will return for Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes could be targeted by the Saudi Pro League after he was the subject of interest last summer. He remained with the Red Devils where he has continued to captain his side under caretaker manager Michael Carrick.
Madrid were never going to be in for Fernandes
As soon as the rumor mill came up with Fernandes potentially joining Madrid it was an obvious non-starter. Not because he isn't good enough for Los Blancos or that the La Liga giants wouldn't welcome him into their side.
But the club rarely ever conductJanuary business and that's been their strategy ever since the window opened. Swooping late for the Portugal international wouldn't fit their recruitment plans as the summer is when an overhaul is anticipated.
Fernandes also doesn't fit with the current Madrid rebuild that has commenced since Carlo Ancelotti departed. Youth is the main focus as seen with the arrivals of Franco Mastantuono, 19, and Alvaro Carreras, 22, last summer.
That's why links to AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit, 19, and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, 21, make more sense and are likelier than a potential Fernandes acquistion. If the club are after an experienced midfield talent then it can be expected that rumored interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez or Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes becomes concrete this summer.