Bruno Fernandes is set to be targeted by Saudi Pro League chiefs in the summer transfer window with Manchester United facing a transfer battle
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes remains a transfer target for the Saudi Pro League
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes remains a transfer target for the Saudi Pro League(Image: (Photo by Matt West/Shutterstock))
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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is among 50 players targeted for summer transfers by the Saudi Pro League. He has been linked with an exit from Old Trafford over the past year, with significant changes anticipated post-2026 World Cup in the Middle East
That is according to talkSPORT, who also suggest that Mohamed Salah, Vinicius Jr, Robert Lewandowski and Casemiro are targets. The chances of the latter heading to Saudi Arabia increased earlier this week, as he will be a free agent following United's announcement earlier this week that he will leave at the end of his contract.
Saudi interest in Fernandes is likely to resurface, with Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr all having expressed interest last summer before the decision was made for him to stay at Old Trafford. For clubs outside the Premier League, the Portuguese international has an appealing £57m release clause.
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The 31-year-old almost joined Al-Hilal before the start of the season, but felt the timing wasn't right for such a move. However, his stance may have changed following the departure of Ruben Amorim, especially with his current contract set to expire in less than 18 months.
Fernandes' departure would have seen United get £100million and him earn up to £700,000 per week. Fernandes later discussed the club's stance on his potential exit to Canal 11, a channel owned by the Portuguese Football Federation.
He said: "From the club I felt it was, 'If you go it's not so bad for us'. It hurts me a bit.
"More than hurting me, it makes me sad. I'm a player that no-one can criticise, I'm always available, I always give my best.
"I could have left in this transfer window, I would have earned much more money.
"I would have won many trophies this season, but I decided not to go, not only for family reasons but because I genuinely love the club.
Bruno Fernandes during a Manchester United training session
Bruno Fernandes has discussed leaving Manchester United(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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"The club wanted me to leave. I told the directors that, I think they didn't have the courage to make that decision because the manager wanted me.
"But if I said I wanted to leave, even with the manager wanting me to stay, the club would let me."
Fernandes has since stated that he will not discuss his future until after the World Cup, with Saudi chiefs remaining hopeful of a summer transfer as dialogue between the two remains open.
However, United are set to schedule a meeting in with Fernandes to discuss his future before the tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico - and play to tell him they would like him to stay.
The Portuguese star will, though, be allowed to dictate his own future. While he prefers to stay in Europe, those in the Middle East have not been put off by that stance and are hoping to get a deal over the line this time round.