Al-Hilal appear determined to lure Bruno Fernandes away from Manchester United this summer, as per reports.
Many expected Mohamed Salah to depart Liverpool this summer, as the Saudi Pro League showed great desire to sign the Egyptian superstar on a free transfer. However, Salah eventually decided to sign a new deal with the Merseyside outfit.
This decision could have repercussions for the Red Devils, as Al-Hilal have now reportedly made Fernandes one of their top targets.
United have so far not shown any willingness to part ways with their captain, who is also their best player under Ruben Amorim. He is tied to the club until the summer of 2027. Still, it appears the Riyadh-based outfit are keen on testing United’s resolve.
According to Givemesport, Al-Hilal have at least £510 million to spend on a marquee signing and they could spend a record amount this summer to strengthen their squad.
It is claimed that they could be prepared to offer a British record transfer fee to convince United to sell Fernandes. The current British record fee is the £115m paid by Chelsea to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Some Saudi sources have suggested that there’s a secret release clause in Fernandes’ contract but United sources have insisted there isn’t.
Still, Al-Hilal “understand there to be a threshold above which United would engage if the player expressed a desire to leave” the club.
To get the Portugal international’s approval, Al Hilal have sent a “non-binding offer” and are ready to hand him a three-year contract. His wages would be in excess of £65m per season.
He currently takes home around £17m annually and would see an increase of nearly 350 per cent if he accepts the proposal from the Gulf Kingdom.
The Saudi giants want Fernandes to join them ahead of the Club World Cup in June.
Such a decisive and lucrative move has the potential to turn any player’s head but considering the United star’s attitude, it is fair to assume he is unlikely to get involved in serious talks before the end of the campaign.
Amorim’s men face Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals this Thursday.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Vishal Singh
Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!
