It won’t be the only place Manchester United fans will hope Victor Osimhen follows Bruno Fernandes, but it is a really good place to start nonetheless.
Bruno Fernandes became the unexpected subject of exit rumours this transfer window as Al-Hilal made their interest in the Man Utd captain concrete.
Mind-boggling figures were thrown about with abandon, both for the player and the club, with Fernandes seriously considering a move.
Ultimately, he stayed at Old Trafford despite life-changing money on offer from Al-Hilal, something that has been replicated by a few superstars since.
Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes followed by Victor Osimhen in growing trend
Such was the commitment from Al-Hilal to sign Bruno Fernandes that, at one point, there were even reports that they would sign Cristiano Ronaldo to convince Fernandes.
Ultimately, Ronaldo stayed at Al-Nassr and Fernandes didn’t join, but it put into perspective how difficult it must be for any player to turn down Saudi money.
However, since Fernandes made his decision to stay, albeit with a hidden message to Man Utd, his trail has been followed by other big names too.
AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez had a bid accepted for him from Al-Hilal, only for the player to stall, forcing the Saudi side to go for the less glamorous option of Angelino.
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Then came the big news that Victor Osimhen, Man Utd striker target, had rejected personal terms with Al-Hilal after their bid was accepted by Napoli.
Osimhen has been a long-term target for Al-Hilal as they were in for him last summer as well, and this time it was widely expected that the financial package the Nigerian was looking for could only be matched by them.
In a remarkable turn of events, he’s now in Galatasaray’s eyes as a target where he’ll undoubtedly earn less than he would have with Al-Hilal.
🚨🚫 BREAKING: Victor Osimhen has rejected Al Hilal proposal.
Despite agreement club to club with Napoli for €75m fee, Osimhen says no to the Saudi Pro League club. ❌
Galatasaray will insist to sign him with race now open again. 👀 pic.twitter.com/XmUTcmfNxk
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 8, 2025
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The third blow came from Gabri Veiga, the Spanish playmaker who turned eyes when he joined Al-Ahli at the age of 21.
After playing out three years of his contract with Al-Ahli, Veiga returned to Europe with FC Porto.
Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be happy with the trend
If Bruno Fernandes is the biggest name in the growing trend of players rejecting the Saudi Pro League to play competitive football in Europe, Cristiano Ronaldo is at the opposite end of that spectrum.
When he joined Al-Nassr from Man Utd, Ronaldo started the trend of big-name players moving to Saudi Arabia and strengthening the league.
The Saudi league had European players before Ronaldo as well, but he was the biggest name who opened the doors to many big players following him.
Now, his international teammate has become the biggest name in a growing trend in the opposite direction and he’s unlikely to be very happy with it.
Already, Hernandez and Osimhen have followed Fernandes and more can’t be ruled out now that they’ve seen three world-class players favour competitiveness over financial offers.
It only takes one to set the tone. Ronaldo did it then, Fernandes might well have done it now if early signs are any indication.