Bruno Fernandes could make a departure from Manchester United this summer following late-night discussions with Saudi representatives. The Portuguese midfielder has been linked with a move to the Middle East following United's dismal season, which saw them finish 15th in the Premier League and lose the Europa League final to Tottenham. Al-Hilal, one of the Saudi teams interested in Fernandes, view him as a high-profile signing for the upcoming season.
According to Mail Online, Fernandes' agent Miguel Pinho held extensive talks with Al-Hilal to understand their proposed project. These 'positive' discussions took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh and continued late into the night. Saudi sources have reportedly told Fernandes that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, offering him a staggering weekly wage of £700,000 and a potential total earning of around £200million over a three-year contract.
The Saudis are also prepared to pay United £100m to secure their captain. It is believed that Al-Hilal officials have given Fernandes a 72-hour deadline to consider the offer, expressing their wish to finalise a deal before the Club World Cup this summer.
After the Europa League setback, Fernandes remarked: "If the club thinks it's time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it's what it is. Football sometimes is like this. 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. 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."
Ruben Amorim has shed light on his skipper's future as well. He expressed: "It's important for Bruno to see that we are changing a lot of things in our club. The behaviour, the everyday organisation, the pace of training. All these things, if he sees that we are doing that across all levels, he will want to stay at this club. He loves this club.
"The most crucial thing is not the Champions League. What matters is he wants to win with this club, and his training and behaviour are exemplary. Everyone must match that standard - that's what will keep him here."
Amorim continued to voice his intention to retain Fernandes at the club, who has slightly over two years left on his contract at Old Trafford.