Al-Hilal chances of signing Bruno Fernandes from Man Utd – deadline set for £100m transfer switch

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Bruno Fernandes is wanted in a big-money swoop by Al-Hilal this summer, with a deadline for his decision now set by the Saudi Pro League side.

Manchester United’s captain has been a one-man team this season, racking up 19 goals and 19 assists in all competitions to date and often cutting a frustrated figure among his teammates.

Bruno Fernandes has long been the sole positive in a club on the decline, and this season was the most blatant example of this yet. The club captain has been praised by former player Rafael, who said Fernandes was the only player at United who had the right mentality.

However, even Fernandes couldn’t get United through the Europa League final and to a victory, which means no European football for the club. The final was arguably Fernandes’ worst performance of the season, as he looked miles away from his usual level.

By failing to win, United miss out on the millions that Champions League qualification involves, and this could lead to big players being listed for sale. Already, Alejandro Garnacho has one foot out the door, and he might not be the only one.

• READ: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2025/26

Al-Hilal set a 72-hour deadline for Bruno Fernandes to accept the offer

Fernandes is widely considered to be a borderline club legend, and without the Portuguese midfielder, this season could have, somehow, been even worse.

Due to this, United have decided that Fernandes won’t be sold under any circumstances as he is irreplaceable within Amorim’s team, but this won’t stop Al-Hilal.

Now, according to the Mail Online and journalist Chris Wheeler, Fernandes has been set a deadline to make his decision by Al-Hilal. The Saudi Pro League has given Fernandes 72 hours, or until Monday, to agree to make the move.

Al-Hilal are reportedly also increasingly confident of persuading Fernandes to walk away from United after the season of nightmares. If he agrees, a contract worth £700,000-a-week as a base rate, with an additional £65m-a-season available in signing-on fee and bonuses, which is generational wealth.

The Saudi side is ready to offer a transfer fee of £100m to United in order to let Fernandes go this summer, which would be a huge amount for the club amid such financial peril.

Fernandes said he would leave if United wanted him to after the final, but with United currently not willing to sell, the move could be dead before it even gets started.

• READ MORE: Who is Bruno Fernandes? Inside the life of Manchester United’s Portuguese Magnifico

Manchester United have a massive decision to make over Bruno Fernandes

This summer, losing Fernandes would be the biggest blow possible for the club and would take a lot of work to replace, with the impending arrival of Matheus Cunha just the start.

However, on the flip side, given the club has no European football, selling Fernandes this summer would be the smartest time, with less pressure next season for his replacement to make a mark.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has set a 6th-place finish target for Amorim, which is not a target that a player like Fernandes will be happy with, considering his advancing age, which means he will not be happy wasting now valuable seasons floundering at the rebuild of United.

Selling Fernandes would be a terrible day for the club and fans; however, for the 30-year-old, it may be the best thing, and United would be able to conduct a thorough overhaul of the team.

Ideally, Fernandes would stay, but if he is planning to leave next summer anyway, keeping him for a season in which there is already a feeling that it will be mediocre at best makes little sense when there is so much money at stake.

Ineos has a big call to make…