Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal have reportedly set a deadline for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes to make a decision over a potential exit from Old Trafford this summer.
Fernandes has arguably been Man United’s standout performer ever since he joined the club from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 and he continues to excel in what has been a bitterly disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
The 30-year-old playmaker has contributed with 98 goals and 86 assists in 287 appearances for the Red Devils across all competitions, including 19 goals and 19 assists in 54 matches so far this season.
Fernandes’s consistent performances have been one of few positives for a Man United side who are languishing in 16th place in the Premier League table and must win the Europa League final if they wish to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Man United’s No.8 extended his contract at Old Trafford last summer until June 2027, but speculation over a possible big-money exit has surfaced ahead of the new season.
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Fernandes ‘given one week’ to make Al-Hilal transfer decision
Recent reports have claimed that Fernandes has emerged as a top target for Al-Hilal, who have turned their attention to the Red Devils skipper after Mohamed Salah opted to extend his Liverpool contract.
It is understood that Al-Hilal – one of four clubs owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – are prepared to stump up as much a £107m to lure Fernandes away from Old Trafford.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Al-Hilal are still in touch with Fernandes’s entourage and there will be a new meeting at some stage this week.
Jacobs adds that the Portugal international will be given just one week to made a final decision on his future, due to the urgency of Al-Hilal lining up signings ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins in the middle of June.
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Amorim determined to keep hold of Fernandes despite Saudi links
Despite their well-documented financial issues, Man United’s position remains that Fernandes is not for sale as he remains an integral first-team member o Ruben Amorim‘s squad.
Amorim was recently questioned about the future of Fernandes and while he acknowledged that it is “natural” for the top teams to be interested in the midfielder, he has insisted that Man United “need” to keep hold of their “leader”.
It has been claimed that Fernandes has given no encouragement to date of wanting to leave the club and informed Al-Hilal last year that he wanted to remain at Old Trafford until at least after the 2026 World Cup.
Fernandes is currently preparing for Man United’s penultimate Premier League fixture of the season away against Chelsea this weekend, before taking on Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21.
Should Al-Hilal fail to sign Fernandes, Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans has allegedly been identified as an alternative target.
