Bruno Fernandes received a lucrative proposal to move to Saudi Arabiaplaceholder image
Bruno Fernandes received a lucrative proposal to move to Saudi Arabia | Getty Images
The latest Man Utd transfer news surrounding their club captain after his explosive interview.
Saudi club Al-Hilal were prepared to pay a fee in the region of £100 million to sign the Portugal international in time for the Club World Cup earlier in the summer, though it is understood they never placed a formal bid for the player.
Fernandes spoke with United chiefs Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox about a possible exit, and they informed him they would not stand in his way if he wanted to leave the club. However, the 31-year-old remained at the club after talks with Ruben Amorim in which the United head coach reiterated he was still a key part of their future.
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United stance on Bruno Fernandes transfer
Bruno Fernandes dropped a transfer bombshell in a recent interview with Canal 11 when he claimed some Manchester United figures 'wanted him to go' in the summer.
“The club wanted me to go, I have that in my head," Fernandes said in an interview released on Tuesday morning. "I told the directors that, but I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision, because the manager wanted me. If I had said I wanted to leave, they would have let me go.”
Manchester World understand the interview was conducted several weeks ago and was organised by the Portuguese Football Federation. United sources have responded to the story by reiterating that there is 'no desire' for Fernandes to leave the club and he is 'central' to the club's long-term plans.
Speaking to those who cover United back in October, Fernandes opened up on the Saudi transfer interest but claimed he decided to stay in Manchester because he still felt valued by the club. "The manager spoke with me. He said I was still part of the project. He wanted me to stay. The club said the same," Fernandes previously said.
"I always said that if the club was like 'Bruno, we want to cash in, you are 30 years old. We want to make some money. We don't think you can be part of the future project' or whatever, I would be like, 'OK, I have to find a solution for myself, whatever is best for me and my family' and I will leave. Obviously that wasn't the case. I felt that I was still part of the plan."
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