Manchester United avoided a transfer payment of up to £5 million when Bruno Fernandes rejected a mega-money offer from Al-Hilal last month.
Manchester United’s summer transfer window started fast, with the club confirming they had reached a £62.5 million agreement to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In the following days, it was also confirmed that Bruno Fernandes would stay at United, despite significant interest and a mega-money offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
The Middle Eastern side were prepared to offer Fernandes a contract worth around £700,000 per week and a transfer fee of around £100 million to Rúben Amorim’s side to sign the player in time for the Club World Cup, but the United captain ultimately rejected their offer.
Al-Hilal have advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition, defeating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in a thrilling 4-3 victory in extra time.
United avoided a £5m payment with Fernandes’ rejection
United signed Fernandes for just shy of £50 million from Sporting CP in January 2020, with the transfer having paid itself back as the player has become a priceless asset to United, including their club captain.
Should the 30-year-old have accepted Al-Hilal’s offer, United would not have stepped in the way, but would have ensured they were adequately compensated with a transfer fee of at least £100 million.
A little-known fact is that while Fernandes cost around £50 million, United also had several add-ons in his deal.
These included a payment of just under £5 million after Fernandes reached a certain number of appearances, another for the club qualifying for the Champions League that season, and a £13 million payment based on individual objectives.
Sporting also retained the right to 10% of any profit United sold Fernandes for in the event he was sold in the future. If United had secured around £100 million for his transfer, United would have had to fork out around £5 million of that to pay Sporting. But, thankfully, he declined.
Fernandes staying is worth more than any transfer fee
There is no denying that United receiving a fee in excess of £100 million would have completely changed the club’s summer transfer window.
While United hope to secure three new forwards and a new midfielder this summer, the club could have improved further by signing a new goalkeeper and additional reinforcements elsewhere, such as extra defenders and a right wing-back.
However, Fernandes staying at the club is worth a lot more than the money United would have received for him, as it is proof to other players that United are building a project worth believing in.
Having Fernandes co-sign the project by committing his immediate future at Old Trafford over a mega salary in Saudi Arabia has gone a long way in convincing bright talents such as Bryan Mbeumo to sign for the club despite interest from Champions League sides Arsenal, Newcastle, and Tottenham.
Fernandes is also a bona fide leader in the dressing room and is one of the most highly respected players in the country.
Having him alongside Amorim is fantastic for the head coach, as the Portuguese Magnifico is a key link between Amorim and his squad, with the pair known to be growing a close relationship.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.