Bruno Fernandes Reveals Why He Rejected Huge Saudi Al-Hilal Offer
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has revealed the real reason behind rejecting a massive offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal during the past summer transfer window, despite serious negotiations between the two parties.
Fernandes said in statements to Sky Sports that Al-Hilal's offer was one of the biggest in modern transfer history, valued at around £100 million, in addition to a huge weekly salary that would have made Fernandes one of the highest-paid players in the world.
However, the Portuguese star emphasized that he did not want to move to Saudi Arabia, justifying his decision by his desire to stay at Old Trafford to win more titles in a Manchester United shirt and remain in contention at the highest levels in Europe.
Fernandes' Statements
In extended statements, Fernandes said: “There were talks with Al-Hilal, and everyone knows that. Some European clubs also contacted me, but we didn't reach the stage of making official offers on the table. The only concrete offer was from Saudi Arabia.”
The Manchester United captain added that these negotiations began during his time in Malaysia, where he held sessions with Sporting Director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada to discuss his future, confirming that he had not officially requested to leave and that the club's management had expressed its desire for him to stay with the team.
The Portuguese star continued that Al-Hilal's offer was “one of the biggest offers in modern transfer history,” explaining that its value reached around £100 million, in addition to a huge weekly salary that would have made him one of the highest-paid players in the world.
Despite this, Fernandes stressed that he did not want to move to Saudi Arabia, justifying his decision by his desire to stay at Old Trafford to win more titles in a Manchester United shirt and remain in contention at the highest levels in Europe.
Fernandes also clarified that there is no prior agreement regarding his transfer to Saudi Arabia next summer, indicating that all future negotiations, whether with Saudi or European clubs, will be postponed until after the World Cup, adding that he feels happy at Manchester United and is still striving to achieve his ambitions with the English club.
He continued: “I spoke with Cristiano about the situation, about Saudi Arabia, and everything. He had his opinion on what I should do, and it was important for me to hear his thoughts.”
Fernandes' statements clearly reflect the significant shift in the Saudi transfer market, which has become capable of attracting top European stars with unprecedented financial offers. However, they also reveal that the factor of sporting competition in the Old Continent still influences the decisions of major players, even when faced with enormous financial temptations.
The huge offer from Al-Hilal reflects the extent of Saudi investment expansion and its growing appeal to global stars, while Fernandes' decision to stay in England highlights that technical values and sporting challenges remain a crucial element no less important than financial aspects in determining players' career paths.
What did Fernandes achieve last season?
The impressive numbers achieved by Bruno Fernandes last season were the main reason behind Al-Hilal's desire to sign him last summer. The Portuguese star played 59 matches for Manchester United, starting in 57 of them, and delivered an exceptional performance both in scoring and playmaking, scoring 22 goals and providing 18 assists, making him one of the most influential midfielders in Europe.
His leadership roles within the team were also characterized by enthusiasm and discipline, despite receiving 9 yellow cards and 3 red cards, reflecting his great passion and high competitive spirit. These figures made him an attractive target for major clubs, most notably Saudi Al-Hilal.
