Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has rejected a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, according to reports.
Fernandes, arguably United’s best and most important player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, has been weighing up a sensational offer from Al Hilal.
The Saudi giants were ready to pay Fernandes around £200m over a three-year period after making him their No. 1 transfer target this summer.
Fernandes’ camp held positive talks with Al Hilal over the weekend, with Manchester United open to a deal despite his immense influence due to their difficult financial situation.
But, according to Fabrizio Romano, Fernandes has now rejected a move to Saudi as he wants to continue ‘playing at the top level’ in Europe.
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Al Hilal’s contract proposal to Fernandes was described as ‘crazy’ but they have still failed to lure him away from the Theatre of Dreams.
The 30-year-old’s decision will come as welcome news to Manchester United fans who were forced to sit through another dismal campaign.
The Red Devils finished just 15th in the Premier League and failed to qualify for European football after losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Missing out on the Champions League is believed to have cost United around £100m and for that reason Old Trafford bosses were open to selling Fernandes.
The Portuguese playmaker has been one of the most influential players in the Premier League since his £47m move from Sporting Lisbon in 2020.
Fernandes has scored 62 goals and provided 51 assists in 195 Premier League games and bagged United’s Player of the Year award four times.
Ruben Amorim was desperate for Fernandes to stay put but the opportunity to raise around £100m for a 30-year-old would have been too good to refuse for those higher up at the club.
Amorim is keen to welcome several of his own signings to Manchester this summer but, as things stand, only has around £100m to spend.
United have already triggered the £62.5m release clause of Matheus Cunha and are interested in Brentford’s £50m-rated Bryan Mbeumo.
But with Fernandes deciding to snub a move to Saudi, Manchester United will need to go down other avenues to raise some cash.
Who else could Manchester United sell?
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana
Defenders: Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia (Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans released)
Midfielders: Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo (Christian Eriksen released)
Forwards: Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho
They have held talks with Inter Milan over a deal for £72m transfer flop Rasmus Hojlund and are ready to get Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony off their books.
Rashford wants to secure a stunning move to Barcelona after his recent loan spell with Aston Villa while Sancho is hoping to earn a permanent switch to Chelsea.
Antony impressed during his loan spell at Real Betis but the La Liga club are unlikely to keep him due to financial reasons.
While Fernandes will not be moving to Saudi Arabia, United goalkeeper Andre Onana has attracted interest from the Pro League and could be sold following an inconsistent season.
Despite Fernandes’ influence and quality, Paul Scholes recently urged his former club to sell him to Al Hilal.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, he said: ‘They are talking about £100m for him, Man United cannot say no to that.
‘I know he has been brilliant and carried the team on his back, but where does he actually 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. I mean, he has been brilliant, don’t get me wrong. But when you’re getting £100m for him, you snap your hands and take it.’
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