Bruno Fernandes has been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia this summer and the Manchester United captain has made a decision about his long-term future
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is reportedly open to leaving the club next summer after turning down a highly lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia. Fernandes was heavily linked with a move to Al-Hilal earlier this summer, but he ultimately decided to reject their offer.
Al-Hilal considered a £100million bid and were willing to pay Fernandes £700,000-a-week - and he could have earned around £200million for the duration of a three-year deal. However, he has since been linked with a move to another Saudi Pro League side, with Al-Ittihad said to have held talks with Fernandes' representatives.
However, the Daily Mail are reporting that Fernandes wants to remain at United for another year in order to 'avoid any disruption' ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The report states that he would then consider leaving after the tournament.
It is claimed Fernandes would be open to joining a club in Saudi Arabia, America or another major European league. And United may decide to cash in, having just forked out £130m on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to play in Fernandes' favoured No.10 role.
Explaining his decision to turn down Al-Hilal, Fernandes told Sky Sports earlier this month: "I haven't fulfilled my dreams here yet. I think I can still give something to the club. I think I'm still in a position where I'm helpful so the thing for me is that I will be here until the club decides that 'Bruno, it's time to go'.
"Obviously, I know it was tough on the club to decide that because it was a big amount of money that the club hasn't got probably since Cristiano [Ronaldo] left, he was the last one where they got so much money for a player.
"I know for the club it was tough to decide. Because on one side I'm the club captain, I'm important for them, even if at times I've not been great, I've been performing and everything. I know that in the public eye it will be bad if things go wrong.
"But it would be very good if things go well – if they sell me and they get more players and whatever. But in my mind I've always said that this is the place I want to be.
"The dream of coming and playing in the Premier League, because for me it is the biggest league in the world and I want to fulfil my dreams of staying here and winning more things with the club. Obviously I know people will have different opinions – he's 30 years old, he's getting old…
He continued: "It was a very ambitious proposal. The president was a fantastic person. We never discussed the amount [initially]. 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 was someone who always supported me a lot. It was an easy move, even at a family level. I had Joao Cancelo there, my children are used to playing with him in the national team, we have a great friendship. But I want to maintain myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions, and I feel capable of it."