Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is expected to be the subject of extensive transfer interest from Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal this summer, according to multiple reports.
Fernandes has excelled for a United side enduring the club’s worst campaign in Premier League history. The talismanic attacking midfielder is not only the team’s leading scorer but also creates more goals and chances than any of his other teammates.
This continued excellence in the face of a collective decline has attracted admiring glances from other clubs. Fernandes recently admitted that he turned down transfer offers before signing a new United deal last summer. There were spurious rumours of interest from Real Madrid earlier this season and more concrete talk of potential bids from Saudi Arabia could be coming down the pipeline.
The Daily Mail claim that Al Hilal are prepared to table a “big-money offer” for Fernandes this summer. The reigning top-flight champions lost Neymar to Santos in January and missed out on a move for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, prompting them to reignite their interest in United’s captain which reportedly existed last summer.
No formal offer has yet been tabled and Fabrizio Romano claims that the two clubs are yet to open any dialogue. Both outlets are adamant that Fernandes won’t be going anywhere.
The 30-year-old has a contract at United until 2027 which includes the option of another year and is billed as all but untouchable by the club’s hierarchy. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures ensure that even young gems like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho would be available for the right price. Fernandes is in his own lofty category.
If Ruben Amorim had his way, he would have 11 Fernandes’ on the pitch. “I will say, we need more Brunos,” the Portuguese boss gushed earlier this year. “The character he has, the availability is so important and he is so decisive with and without the ball.”
