Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes revealed he turned down an ambitious Al Hilal offer, one month ago, to stay at the Old Trafford-based club. Saudi Pro League club had been looking to make a deal with the Portugal midfielder as they looked to make a marquee signing before the FIFA Club World Cup.
But Fernandes rejected the offer he received as he wanted to keep playing in Europe and play in bigger competitions.
Meanwhile, Manchester United had a horrible season, and the club also suffered a Europa League final loss against Tottenham Hotspur.
“I will respond and ask that you not ask me about this anymore,” Fernandes said ahead of Portugal’s Nations League semifinal with Germany on Wednesday. “There was that possibility, the president of Al Hilal called me a month ago to ask me about it. I took some time to think about the future. As I have always said, I would be willing, if Man United thought so. I spoke to coach Ruben Amorim, who, throughout this period, urged me not to go.
“The club [United] said they would not be willing to sell me, only if I wanted to leave, that it was not a financial issue. It was a very ambitious proposal.”
According to ESPN’s sources, Al Hilal were willing to pay around £100 million ($135m) for Fernandes and there would have been a massive jump in his overall salary if he had decided to part ways with Manchester United.
“The president was a spectacular person, we never talked about money [initially],” Fernandes added. “With my agent, of course. Then I spoke to my wife and family, and she asked me what my personal goals were in my career. She has always been very supportive. It was an easy change, even on a family level.
“[Al Hilal’s Portuguese defender] João Cancelo was there, my children are used to playing with him in the national team. We’re great friends. But I want to stay at the highest level, playing in the big competitions, and I feel capable of doing that.”
Fernandes scored 19 goals and made 57 appearances in all competitions last season
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