'United said they didn't want to sell me' - Fernandes confirms he rejected Saudi move
BRUNO FERNANDES CONFIRMED Tuesday he rejected a huge offer from Saudi Arabia to stay at Manchester United, saying he wanted to 'continue to play at the highest level'.
Speaking to media in a Portugal camp ahead of Wednesday's Nations League semi-final against Germany in Munich, Fernandes confirmed he received an 'exciting offer' from Al Hilal but wanted to be part of Ruben Amorim's rebuild at Old Trafford.
Reports said Al Hilal were willing to pay United up to €119 million for the 30-year-old Portugal international.
'The president of Al Hilal called me and asked me if I wanted to move there,' Fernandes confirmed, saying the club 'waited for me to think about my future'.
'I talked to the gaffer and he asked me not to go,' Fernandes revealed, adding: 'Man United said they didn't want to sell me.
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'They said if I wanted to go I could but they didn't need the money.'
The player said a transfer would have been 'easy' with several Portuguese players already in Saudi Arabia, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, but added: 'I want to play at the highest possible level.
'I want to play major competitions. I know I still can and I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most.
For better or worse, this is how I see football and I'm passionate about football and this is the decision I've made.'
United endured their worst finish of the Premier League era, finishing 15th. They also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.
United captain Fernandes was one of the few players to emerge with credit from a disastrous season, scoring 19 goals and making 19 assists across all competitions.
Former United captain Gary Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, said the development was 'significant'.
United are expected to be busy in the transfer market as Amorim reshapes his under-performing squad.
The club have already signed Brazil forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are being heavily linked with Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.
Departures could include Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.
Fernandes has made 290 appearances and scored 98 goals for United since his €55m move from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.
– © AFP 2025
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