Al-Hilal’s Bold Move
Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal are increasingly optimistic about securing Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes for a fee between £80m and £100m, with talks intensifying ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup starting June 14, 2025, per The Telegraph. Fernandes’s agent, Miguel Pinho, held face-to-face discussions at Riyadh’s Four Seasons hotel on May 29, signaling a “genuine possibility” of a deal, per The Athletic. The 30-year-old Portuguese star, offered a staggering £1m-a-week contract, is seriously considering the move after six seasons at United, where he contributed 19 goals and 18 assists in 2024/25 despite the team’s 16th-place finish, per Opta.
United’s Financial and Strategic Dilemma
United’s financial strain, exacerbated by a £100m revenue loss from missing Champions League qualification after their Europa League final defeat to Tottenham, makes Al-Hilal’s offer tempting. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures, including a £7.8m post-season tour to Malaysia and Hong Kong, highlight the club’s need for funds, per The Daily Mail. Head coach Ruben Amorim, while praising Fernandes’s leadership—“he takes responsibility in difficult moments”—could use the transfer fee to fund signings like Matheus Cunha (£62.5m), Liam Delap (£30m), and Eberechi Eze (£60m), per The Mirror. However, United insist Fernandes, under contract until 2027, is not for sale, per Sky Sports.
Fernandes’s Stance and Implications
Fernandes has hinted at openness to a departure, stating post-Europa League final, “If the club thinks it’s time to part ways to cash in, it is what it is,” per The Athletic. His agent’s ongoing talks, described as “positive” by sources, suggest a decision looms, with Al-Hilal setting a 72-hour deadline ending May 30, per The Daily Mail. Losing their captain, who created more chances than any Premier League player this season, would be a blow, but the £100m could reshape United’s squad, per The Independent. On X, @AmorimEra_ noted Al-Hilal’s willingness to match United’s demands, while @JacobsBen highlighted the absence of a £60m release clause, suggesting a higher fee.
What’s Next?
Al-Hilal, also targeting Victor Osimhen and Rodrygo, aim to finalize Fernandes’s transfer before their Club World Cup opener against Real Madrid, per The Telegraph. United’s reluctance to sell, reiterated by Amorim, faces pressure from financial realities and Fernandes’s considerations, per The Athletic. The outcome, pivotal for United’s rebuild and Al-Hilal’s ambitions, hinges on Fernandes’s final decision, expected imminently. @SkySportsPL on X called it a “make-or-break moment” for United’s future.
