Al Hilal are reportedly looking to commit over £300 million in an eye-watering bid to sign Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United this summer.
Rumours of Al Hilal’s interest in Manchester United club captain Bruno Fernandes have exploded in the last few days.
Late on Monday afternoon, news broke from Saudi Arabia that the Saudi Pro League side’s management had met with the player’s lawyer, Caetano Maria, and agent Miguel Robin to discuss a move this summer.
It was reported that Al Hilal are looking to make a statement signing ahead of the Club World Cup on 14 June, and that they were willing to pay Fernandes the wage figure he was reportedly demanding.
However, news then filtered through later that evening that United were staunch in their stance that the 30-year-old would not be sold this summer as he is seen as a key part of Rúben Amorim’s project at Old Trafford.
The eye-watering £315m offer to sign Fernandes
However, on Tuesday afternoon, further news broke surrounding the exact figures that Al Hilal were willing to commit to signing Fernandes in the early weeks of the summer transfer window.
According to GiveMeSport, the Saudi club are said to be willing to offer a British record sale fee for Fernandes this summer.
The current highest transfer fee received by a British club is Brighton’s £115 million sale of Moises Caicedo to Chelsea in 2023. Al Hilal would likely be willing to offer over £120 million to secure the Portuguese international.
There have been murmurs of a £60 million release clause in Fernandes’ contract, but the report stated that those at United have played this down.
Beyond this, the club are also said to have sent Fernandes a three-year contract worth £65 million a season. The transfer fee of over £120 million plus the £195 million in wages would therefore see Al Hilal commit over £315 million to signing Fernandes.
Amorim’s response to Fernandes transfer interest is obvious
As mentioned above, United are adamant that they will not let Fernandes go this summer – and this is a view that has been publicly shared by Amorim.
“No, it’s not going to happen,” Amorim told reporters in late March when asked if there was a chance the United captain could leave.
“I want Bruno here because we want to win the Premier League again, so we want the best players. He’s [30] but still so [fit], plays 55 games every season and between assists and goals, he’s there for 30 at least, so he’s not going anywhere.”
As for Fernandes’ feelings, it has been reported that the player is content at Old Trafford despite the turbulent season and has developed a strong relationship with Amorim in the last six months, which is a key factor in his willingness to stay at United.
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