Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has opened up on the lucrative proposal he was given by Al-Hilal to swap the Premier League for Saudi Arabia this summer
Bruno Fernandes says that Manchester United made it clear they did not have to sell him in the wake of interest from Al-Hilal and that the midfielder would have the final say over any potential move.
Fernandes, 30, has rejected a lucrative proposal to swap the Premier League for Saudi Arabia after being sounded out. Their offer, said to be worth £100million, coincided with the end of a disastrous season for Manchester United, who finished in 15th.
United are eager to rebuild their squad this summer but there will not extensive transfer funds available due to the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
As such, the club are expected to consider serious offers for all players as they bid to give Ruben Amorim scope to shake up the team – but Fernandes insists United told him they did not have to sell him as he weighed up his decision.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League semi-final tie with Germany, Fernandes revealed: “The president of Al Hilal called me a month ago to ask me about [a move].
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“There was a waiting period for me to think about the future. As I have always said, I would be willing to do it if Manchester United thought so.
“I spoke to coach Ruben Amorim who, throughout that period, was very annoying to me not to go! The club said they would not be willing to sell me, only if I wanted to leave, that it was not a financial issue.”
Speculation over Fernandes’ future has grown in recent weeks, particularly in the wake of reports that the Saudi Pro League outfit had set him a deadline to decide on a move.
But he decided to turn the proposal down after speaking with his wife, adding that he wants to keep playing at an elite level.
“It was a very ambitious proposal,” Fernandes added. “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.”
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