Bruno Fernandes set for Man United stay after Al Hilal offer
Manchester United attacker Bruno Fernandes will stay at the club this summer after revealing on Tuesday that he turned down a “very ambitious” offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
Al Hilal had been exploring a deal for the Portugal midfielder as they looked to make a marquee signing before the FIFA Club World Cup, but Fernandes said at Portugal’s news conference on Tuesday that he wanted to stay at the highest level and play in “big competitions.”
“I will respond and ask that you not ask me about this anymore,” Fernandes said ahead of Portugal’s Nations League semifinal with Germany on Wednesday. “There was that possibility, the president of Al Hilal called me a month ago to ask me about it. I took some time to think about the future. As I have always said, I would be willing, if Man United thought so. I spoke to coach Ruben Amorim, who, throughout this period, urged me not to go.
“The club [United] said they would not be willing to sell me, only if I wanted to leave, that it was not a financial issue. It was a very ambitious proposal.”
According to ESPN sources familiar with negotiations, Al Hilal were willing to pay around £100 million ($135m) for Fernandes and put together a wage package that would have significantly increased his salary.
However, the 30-year-old has decided stay at Old Trafford, where he is under contract until 2027.
“The president was a spectacular person, we never talked about money [initially],” Fernandes added. “With my agent, of course. Then I spoke to my wife and family, and she asked me what my personal goals were in my career. She has always been very supportive. It was an easy change, even on a family level.
“[Al Hilal’s Portuguese defender] João Cancelo was there, my children are used to playing with him in the national team. We’re great friends. But I want to stay at the highest level, playing in the big competitions, and I feel capable of doing that.”
Sources in Saudi Arabia had told ESPN that Al Hilal were confident of having an offer accepted by United given the Premier League club’s financial difficulties.
They were not planning to make a formal offer until the move was given the green light by Fernandes, and they have now been made aware that after discussions with his family he’s decided against continuing with talks.
Head coach Ruben Amorim made it clear to Fernandes, both publicly and privately, that he wanted Fernandes to be central to his rebuild at Old Trafford.
Fernandes scored 19 goals and made 57 appearances in all competitions last season. Only goalkeeper André Onana played more Premier League minutes.
It is the second summer in a row that Fernandes has rejected advances from other clubs.
There was interest from Saudi Arabia and Bayern Munich a year ago before Fernandes signed a new long-term contract with United in August.
ESPN’s Adriana Garcia contributed to this story.