Bruno Fernandes could leave Manchester United this summer following their failure to secure Champions League football, with Al-Hilal ready to make an offer
21:32, 22 May 2025Updated 21:35, 22 May 2025
BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 21: A dejected Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United FC reacts following the 1-0 defeat in the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes couldn't help United avoid defeat in Bilbao(Image: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes has been given a potential escape route from Manchester United following their Europa League final loss.
After failing to secure Champions League football next season due to a defeat by Tottenham, United are preparing for a major shake-up in the summer transfer window – and their skipper might be on his way out.
United have put their entire squad on the market in the wake of their Bilbao defeat.
This drastic transfer approach includes Fernandes and other key players such as Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Andre Onana, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to take a ruthless stance this summer to equip Ruben Amorim with a new squad for the 2025/26 season. United are keen to bring in Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and Ipswich striker Liam Delap, but only have around £100million to spend before considering sales.
Manchester United are facing up to financial catastrophe after their Europa League final defeat
Manchester United are facing up to financial catastrophe after their Europa League final defeat(Image: Getty Images)
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Fernandes' contract with United runs until June 2027, with the club also having the option of an additional year. However, the 30-year-old confessed after the Bilbao defeat that he would understand if United decided to sell him – and that now seems a real possibility.
Sky Sports report that Al-Hilal are keen on signing the Portugal international and their offer could be imminent due to the Club World Cup.
The Saudi Arabian team are participating in the tournament, which kicks off in the United States next month, so they will be able to sign players from June 1, reports the Mirror.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes is wanted in Saudi Arabia(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
They've already lured ex-Premier League aces Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Kalidou Koulibaly to their squad, and now they're back on the prowl for Fernandes.
Earlier this month, Al-Hilal chief Fahad bin Nafel had a meeting with Fernandes' agent Miguel Ruben and legal eagle Caetano Maria about a potential three-year deal.
His reps binned the initial offer, but Al-Hilal aren't throwing in the towel just yet, and Fernandes' straight-talking with journalists in northern Spain might just have sparked fresh hopes of sealing the deal.
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"If the club thinks it's time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it is what it is. And football sometimes is like this," he said.
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"I have always been honest. I've always said I will be here until the club says to me that it's time to go. I'm eager to do more, to be able to bring the club to the great days.
"In the day that the club thinks that I'm too much or it's time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I've always said it and I keep my word in the same way."