Bruno Fernandes has been encouraged to leave the Premier League and accept a tempting offer from Al-Hilal by his Portugal teammate Ruben Neves. The 30-year-old Manchester United skipper is mulling over a lucrative bid to join the Saudi Pro League after United's dismal season. Following hints of a possible departure from Old Trafford, Fernandes' representative, Miguel Pinho, engaged in 'positive' discussions with Al-Hilal officials in Riyadh recently.
United would suffer a significant loss if they parted ways with a player of Fernandes' calibre. Normally, it would be unthinkable for them to consider selling him. However, the club's urgency to revamp their squad under new management, coupled with a tight budget and missing out on Champions League football, might compel them to accept Al-Hilal's reported £100 million offer for their star man.
Neves, who left Wolves for Saudi Arabia two years ago, has spoken highly of the move and would suggest it to any Portuguese player.
"I recommend all the players in the national team, of course," he expressed to A Bola. "Fortunately, Portugal has produced a lot of talent and continues to do so. We are a lucky country in that respect.
"We are also very hard-working. A very small country but one that has produced excellent players. Just yesterday we saw four of our players (Gonçalo Ramos, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes and Vitinha) lift the Champions League.
"It is an excellent sign for Portugal. I would like to have any player from the national team in my team."
As Saudi giants Al-Hilal intensify their pursuit, they want United's talisman Fernandes to decide on a potential switch within the next week.
Tied to Manchester United until 2027, Fernandes stands out as the Red Devils' paramount player amid turbulent times. With the club ending the Premier League season disappointingly at 15th place under Ruben Amorim after he took over in November from Erik ten Hag, Fernandes' brilliance remained a silver lining.
Fernandes sparked speculations about his future following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. He 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."
He voiced a pragmatic view on football career trajectories, stating: "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."