Bruno Fernandes has been a rare bright spot for Manchester United this season but the Red Devils skipper could find himself heading out of the Old Trafford exit door this summer
Al-Hilal are ready to offer Manchester United £80million for captain Bruno Fernandes. United’s failure to win a trophy or qualify for Europe this season has left them in a dire financial state heading into the summer window.
Embattled boss Ruben Amorim had been hoping to be able to bring in a number of players to finally make his system work. But with no European football to attract players and a depleted transfer warchest, bringing in top players will be highly difficult.
They can of course raise funds through player sales, with Mirror Football reporting that club chiefs will listen to offers for every single player. That includes skipper Fernandes, who has been a rare positive this season.
The Portugal international has finished as United’s top scorer for the second successive season, registering 19 goals and 19 assists in all competitions. His current contract runs until the summer of 2027 with the option of a further year.
But their is now increasing doubts that Fernandes will see out the rest of that deal. Saudi Pro League side Hilal are pushing to sign the midfielder and are ready to tap into their country’s huge wealth reserves.
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According to The Athletic FC podcast, the offer from Hilal is a ‘genuine’ one. It is claimed the Saudi side are ready to offer around £80m for Fernandes, who turns 31 in September.
Such a high fee would be highly attractive for United, given Fernandes’ age and their money troubles. According to Sky Sports, Hilal will make a fresh push to sign the midfielder in the summer’s first window.
That opens ahead of the Club World Cup, running from 1 June to 10 June. Fernandes is understood to be on the list of players Hilal are looking to target heading into this summer’s tournament.
United signed Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon for £68m back in January 2020. Fernandes would have the chance to link up with compatriots João Cancelo and Ruben Neves if he did join Hilal.
But it may take some convincing for Fernandes to depart Old Trafford this summer. Following the defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final, the skipper made it clear he saw his future as being with United.
“I’ve always said I will be here until the club says to me that it’s time to go,” Fernandes said. “I’m eager to do more, to be able to bring the club to 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 cash in or whatever, it’s what it is, and football sometimes is like this.”
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