Reports suggest Bruno Fernandes is contemplating a surprising transfer to Saudi Arabia.
Manchester United`s captain is reportedly a target for Al-Hilal, who are seeking a major signing this summer.
The Saudi Pro League club is reportedly prepared to spend a significant sum, around £100 MILLION, to secure Fernandes` services. The player would also receive a substantial salary if he were to move to The Kingdom.
It is reported that the 30-year-old midfielder is “giving serious consideration” to this potential move.
Talks regarding the Portugal international joining Al-Hilal are said to be already in progress.
Should Fernandes accept this lucrative offer, his last appearance as a United player could potentially take place as early as today.
Manchester United is scheduled to play a friendly match against Hong Kong this afternoon as part of their post-season tour of Asia. Fernandes was seen signing shirts for fans ahead of this clash.
Fernandes was named in the starting lineup for the friendly. Manager Ruben Amorim commented on his inclusion:
“We need to respect and do better than the last game. We understand the players are tired from all the commercial things for our fans. Now it`s time to perform to show good things for our fans.”
Fernandes isn`t the only United player potentially available for transfer this summer. Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho are also reportedly candidates for sale to help finance manager Amorim`s team reconstruction.
These potential sales might have been avoided if United had qualified for the Champions League by winning the recent Europa League final.
Following the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in that final, Fernandes admitted that his future at Old Trafford is ultimately controlled by the club. The former Sporting Lisbon player stated:
“I have always been honest. I`ve always said I will be here until the club says to me that it`s time to go. I`m eager to do more, to be able to bring the club the great days. In the day that the club thinks that I`m too much or it`s time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I`ve always said it and I keep my word in the same way. If the club thinks it`s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it`s what it is. And football sometimes is like this.”
Fernandes featured in the post-season friendly against Hong Kong, and Amorim was again asked about his future after the match.
Asked if he would leave, Amorim responded:
“I don`t think so. I don`t know for sure, nobody does. But I don`t think so. I think he wants to stay. He is saying no to a lot of things but it shows that he wants to win.”
