Report: Man Utd's Bruno Fernandes faces fresh Saudi temptation as Al-Nassr launch bid

Despite rejecting a massive offer from Al-Hilal earlier this summer, Al-Nassr believe their unique pitch could tempt Fernandes to reconsider his future.

In June, Al-Hilal offered Fernandes a three-year deal worth 200 million pounds, dwarfing his current 250,000 pounds-a-week wages at Old Trafford. He declined, prioritising European football. “I want to stay at the highest level, play in big competitions, because I still feel capable,” Fernandes said at a Portugal press conference on June 3, per The Athletic.

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Al-Nassr contacted Fernandes’ camp on Thursday to kickstart negotiations. The Saudi club are prepared to meet United’s valuation, which exceeds 50 million euros, with funds no issue. Al-Nassr’s appeal is boosted by their Portuguese contingent, including captain Cristiano Ronaldo, new signing Joao Felix, and head coach Jorge Jesus, who coached Fernandes at Sporting CP in 2017.

During their time together, Fernandes played 56 matches and scored 16 goals under Jesus, creating a bond Al-Nassr hope to leverage.

Manchester United’s head coach Ruben Amorim, however, is resolute in keeping Fernandes, whose contract runs until 2027 with an option for an additional year. Amorim was instrumental in Fernandes’ decision to stay in June, with the midfielder revealing: “I spoke to coach Amorim. He asked me not to go. Manchester United didn’t want to sell me. They don’t need the money. If I had wanted to leave, they would have made it happen.”

After United’s 3-1 pre-season win over Hong Kong on July 30, Amorim said, “Bruno is our leader. He’s vital to our project, and I believe he wants to stay in Europe’s top league.”

United’s squad has been bolstered by the recent signings of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Wolverhampton’s Matheus Cunha, as confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X on July 28. These additions signal United’s ambition, but financial pressures from missing Champions League qualification may require sales.

Fernandes, with 19 goals and 16 assists in 52 appearances last season, remains indispensable, unlike high earners like Jadon Sancho, who is linked with Chelsea and Juventus, and Alejandro Garnacho, who has attracted interest from Chelsea.

Fernandes faces a critical choice: join Ronaldo and Jesus in Saudi Arabia or remain the linchpin of Amorim’s revitalised United, now strengthened by Mbeumo and Cunha. For now, his desire to compete at Europe’s elite level may keep him at Old Trafford.