Manchester United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, is at the center of a massive transfer saga as Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal pursues the Portuguese star with a staggering £100 million offer. The deal would see Fernandes earn a tax-free salary of £700,000 per week over the next three years. The move could reunite Fernandes with fellow Portuguese players Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo, as well as former Premier League stars Kalidou Koulibaly and Aleksandar Mitrovic. With the potential for Cristiano Ronaldo to join on a temporary basis, Al Hilal is eager to bolster its squad ahead of facing Real Madrid in their tournament opener on June 18.
Ruben Amorim said: “I don’t think so, I don’t know for sure. Nobody knows but I don’t think so. I think he is seeing us taking some actions to change all the things and I think he saw that and I think he wants to stay. He is saying no to a lot of things but he shows he wants to win. Yes, we can find another way to earn money. Of course, I’m the manager, I’m the coach but sometimes it’s the decision of the player. But of course, I talk with him, I explain things. I just have that feeling if he wants to stay.”
A source close to Fernandes said: “Of course in a lot of games this season he was so frustrated but he knows what we are doing. The feeling is every time I speak with him he wants to continue at Manchester United but you never know.”
Paul Scholes said: “They are talking about £100m for him. Man United cannot say no to that. You know when you talk about this system as well, I know he has been brilliant and carried the team on his back but where does he play? What is his position? Do you see him as a number 10? Do you see him as a holding midfielder? He almost confuses the whole system because he doesn’t have that one position for him. I mean he has been brilliant don’t get me wrong.”
Fernandes’ agent, Miguel Pinho, has been in Saudi Arabia negotiating with Al Hilal representatives, and the player has a week to decide on the offer. While Manchester United publicly maintains that Fernandes is not for sale, the £100 million transfer fee could alleviate financial pressures following the club’s Europa League Final loss to Spurs, which cost them significant Champions League revenue. Despite the financial allure, manager Ruben Amorim is keen for Fernandes to stay and has urged the club’s decision-makers to source funds elsewhere.
The situation is further complicated by differing opinions within the club and its former players. While Fernandes has been a standout performer, winning the club’s player of the year award for the fourth time, his future at Old Trafford remains uncertain. The decision now rests with Fernandes, who must weigh his desire to remain at Manchester United against the lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia.
