Al-Hilal have reportedly warned Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes to make his mind up over a huge £200 million ($271m) move to Saudi Arabia.
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Al-Hilal enticing Fernandes with a £200m packageReady to offer a transfer fee of around £100mHave set him a May-end deadline Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to the Saudi Pro League outfit are increasingly optimistic about securing Fernandes' services and have told the player they want a firm decision before the end of May. The proposal includes a three-year contract with a basic weekly wage of £700,000. Factoring in signing bonuses and performance incentives, the package could amount to as much as £65m ($88m) per season.
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To accelerate the transfer, Al-Hilal are also willing to pay £100m ($135m) to United. Their interest is driven in part by a desire to showcase a marquee name in time for the Club World Cup, which kicks off next month. With the tournament looming, Al-Hilal are expected to submit their final proposal in the coming days and will reportedly allow Fernandes just 72 hours to respond. Should he decline, the club intends to turn its attention to alternative targets.
WHAT FERNANDES SAID
Speaking after the loss to Spurs, Fernandes addressed the swirling rumours about his future. In a candid admission, he acknowledged the possibility of being sold to raise funds, stating: “If the club thinks it's time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in, it is what it is.”
The midfielder, who turns 30 this year, is reportedly content at United but is believed to be weighing his options carefully. With United facing a year without European competition and a mandatory 25 per cent wage cut triggered by their Champions League miss, the financial contrast with Al-Hilal's offer is stark. Furthermore, the club’s uncertain trajectory under manager Ruben Amorim may not inspire enough confidence in Fernandes, who is entering the final stretch of his prime years.
DID YOU KNOW?
Despite the staggering offer, United are reluctant to part ways with Fernandes, with internal sources reaffirming that there is no desire to sanction the sale. However, financial concerns may yet force their hand. Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final not only ended the season without silverware but also denied United qualification for next season's Champions League. That setback is estimated to have cost the club around £100m in revenue. On top of that, United are now on the hook for a £10m ($13.5m) payment to kit sponsor Adidas, triggered by their failure to qualify for Europe’s top competition. Add to this the significant drop in Premier League merit payments due to their likely 16th or 17th-place finish, and the picture becomes even more bleak financially.
