The Saudi giants were in talks over a stunning move to sign Bruno Fernandes
Al-Hilal reportedly tabled an offer worth £200m over a three-year contract
However, reports on Tuesday claimed the Portuguese star has snubbed a move
By TUM BALOGUN
Published: 11:17 EDT, 3 June 2025 | Updated: 11:27 EDT, 3 June 2025
Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he messaged Bruno Fernandes after reading reports that the Manchester United skipper had rejected a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League.
The Saudi giants have been in hot pursuit of the Portuguese in recent weeks and even made direct contact with the player's entourage in the last week.
Mail Sport revealed that Fernandes' agent, Miguel Pinho, spent three days at the Four Seasons hotel in Riyadh last week, where he held face-to-face talks with club officials.
The Saudi club are said to have tabled an offer worth £200milion over a three-year contract - and are ready to bid in the region of £100m for the midfielder. However, reports on Tuesday morning claim that Fernandes has come to a decision over his future and rejected the proposal from the Saudi giants.
Ferdinand was unable to contain his delight at the news, which he claimed couldn't have made him happier.
'Listen, I've got to be honest with you,' he said on his YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents. 'I don't know if I could have said no. He's 30 years old, at a club that struggling.'
Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he messaged Bruno Fernandes after learning of the Portuguese's decision to stay at Man United
The 30-year-old turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia to remain with the club despite their poor showing last term
He added: 'Bruno's staying, our most potent goalscorer, our biggest provider, our biggest chance maker, he does a lot and our captain.
'I couldn't have woken up this morning happier and I did message him. I won't go into the details of that but what a man.'
Earlier, Fabrizio Romano revealed that the playmaker is keen to continue playing at the top level of European football.
The detail that Fernandes is keen to play at the 'top level in Europe' could still spell trouble for United - who finished 15th in the league and lost the Europa League final.
Had they won that match, against Premier League rivals Tottenham, they would have qualified for the Champions League and been in good stead to keep Fernandes.
It remains to be seen which top European sides would be interested in Fernandes.
As part of the deal, the Saudi giants had been prepared to quadruple Fernandes' current weekly wage of £280,000 to a tax-free sum of £700,000.
Many United fans have been uncertain over Fernandes' future given his recent social media activity and the fact the star was spotted alongside an Al-Hilal star.
Last week, Ruben Amorim insisted he does not believe Fernandes has played his last match for United
The player himself was seen at Joao Cancelo's birthday party over the weekend, sharing a group meal to celebrate the former Manchester City star turning 31.
The two countrymen will both suit up for the Portuguese national team later this week, but the timing of this link-up only sent speculation soaring.
Fernandes' appearance at the function also came shortly after a cryptic social media post which lead some fans into believing he would be on his way out of Old Trafford.
Fernandes just recently jetted back from United's miserable post-season tour in the Far East, where they limply lost in Malaysia against ASEAN All-Stars, in front of fans who had paid up to £260 to attend.
After the second game of their tour, in which they came back from a goal down to beat Hong Kong 3-1, Ruben Amorim insisted he does not believe Fernandes has played his last match for United.
The beleaguered boss said: 'I don't think so. I don't know for sure. I think he wants to stay. He is saying no to a lot of things.
'The club can find other ways to make money. The feeling I get is that he wants to continue for sure with Man United, you never know.'
United sources have re-iterated that they do not want to sell Fernandes, but the club are under even greater financial pressure after their defeat by Tottenham in the Europa League final cost them £100m in Champions League revenue.
Bryan Mbeumo has chosen Man United as his favoured destination for a move this summer
Speaking after the final, Fernandes himself acknowledged the possibility of a summer exit. He said defeatedly: '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.'
Meanwhile, United are to open official talks with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo after the forward indicated his wish to move to Old Trafford.
Newcastle United, Tottenham and Arsenal have all made contact over the 25-year old but he has told United he wants to join them and be part of Ruben Amorim's rebuild this summer.
The clubs must now agree on a fee with Brentford understood to be valuing Mbeumo in excess of £60million.