Latest news with #Al-Hilal
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes may have to abandon Man Utd transfer plan with Al-Hilal decision
Bruno Fernandes has been offered the opportunity to leave Manchester United for a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia, but he has previously suggested moving to a different country Bruno Fernandes has a big decision to make – and whichever call he makes, he will likely have to abandon his previous plans. The Manchester United captain has been handed the opportunity of a mega-money move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, but is yet to make his mind up. Fernandes stands at a crossroads in his career following a dreadful campaign for United which saw them finish 15th in the Premier League and lose the Europa League final. After a miserable and embarrassing post-season trip to Malaysia and Hong Kong, he now has to decide whether to stick by United, or cash in with a move to Al-Hilal. The Saudi club are reportedly willing to pay United £100million to sign the Portugal international, who they will then pay £100m over the course of his contract. His agent Miguel Pinho has been in Riyadh for talks with the club's executives this week and he reportedly has a week to decide, with Al-Hilal preparing for the Club World Cup. Amid the storm, Fernandes has stirred the pot by posting a Portuguese quote on Instagram which translates to: 'If you tried and failed, congratulations! There are people who don't even try.' It will soon be crunch time for the 30-year-old midfielder, who is under contract with United until June 2027, although the club also have the option of another year. Fernandes has 98 goals and 87 assists in 290 games for United since joining them from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 and has been captain for two seasons. Al-Hilal's interest in his services is nothing new, but United's dreadful form and need to rejuvenate their squad suddenly makes the move a distinct possibility. Whatever he does – stay with United, or move to Saudi Arabia – it now seems unlikely that Fernandes will not follow through with a previously-stated desire to play in Brazil. He will turn 31 in September and this summer's decision would appear to rule out a future transfer to a Brazilian side further down the line. "Whenever I can, I follow it, because I find Brazilian football attractive, electric football, with a lot of quality, joy, very one-on-one,' he previously said. HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Bruno Fernandes decide to quit Manchester United? Comment below. "It's pure football. And I think that now, with the coaches that are there, not only the Portuguese, but also Brazilians, are increasingly developing in the tactical part. "I don't really like talking about the distant future, but it's like I said. It's attractive football, very interesting. The only thing is that the trips are very long there in Brazil! There are many competitions, many clubs that play Libertadores and Sudamericana, very good competitions. I'm not saying no, because Brazilian football is very attractive, and we never know the future." The contract reportedly on offer at Al-Hilal is worth a staggering £700,000 per week and would run for three years. At the end of that, he will be approaching 34 and could instead choose to move back to his native Portugal, rather than to South America, away from his extended family.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd fans left with no doubts after Bruno Fernandes' cryptic message
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes could be set for a mega-money departure from Old Trafford as Al-Hilal attempt to persuade the Portugal star to complete a transfer Manchester United supporters have been left convinced that Bruno Fernandes is on his way OUT following a social media post from the club captain. Fernandes appeared to drop a hint over his future by delivering a cryptic message on his Instagram. The United talisman, who has offered a rare spark of life for the club in a dismal season, is understood to have been set a deadline by Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal to decide over a switch. The Middle East club are willing to pay £100million to land Fernandes in addition to a package worth a reported £200million over three years for the player. On more than one occasion, Fernandes has noted he would leave Old Trafford if United desire his departure to cash in. And now he has posted Portuguese quote on his social media account on Saturday afternoon which translates to: 'If you tried and failed, congratulations! There are people who don't even try.' In the current climate, it certainly could be taken that the 30-year-old may have given up on his attempts to find success with the 13-times Premier League champions. Fernandes' agent, Miguel Pinho, has been in Riyadh for talks there is said to be growing optimism that a deal could be achieved. United boss Ruben Amorim has indicated that he would like the midfielder to stay, and hinted that his captain would also like to remain. Asked if the Portugal midfielder had played his final game for the club, the 40-year-old responded: 'I don't think so. I don't know for sure, nobody knows, but I don't think so. "I think he's seeing us taking some actions to change things and that's all he asks. I think he wants to stay. He is saying no to a lot of things, but that shows he wants to win. He's really young, he's really good, he needs to be in the best league in the world.' But those words have not offered enough confidence for supporters amid Fernandes' latest action. A number believe the veteran will soon make his exit. "He's gone," said one fan on X. "Been agreed for days now. Dont blame him tho. Why would he want to stay with these lot. He Deserves better! We will miss him hugely n his doubters will regret ever doubting him." "He's gone. He tried at Utd. Failed," added another. "He's saying he's moving on. It's done." One supporter on Reddit agreed: "He's gone. Tried but couldn't save the club." Another added: "He's leaving. He tried his very best throughout his time with us, and gave it his all, but it wasn't enough. And there are many our players who didn't even try, or give it their all, or did their best, or display the same commitment and drive that he has." 'Well, it was a privilege watching you play cap. I think this might be it," said a further reddit user. "Sounds like he's leaving," another said. "Nothing wrong with providing his family with generational wealth. Who knows, this might be a blessing in disguise." United legend Paul Scholes believes the Red Decils have to take the offer. The former midfielder believes that Fernandes' departure could aid Amorim in some respects. "They are talking about £100m for him, Man United cannot say no to that," he told The Overlap Fan Debate. "I know he has been brilliant and carried the team on his back, but where does he actually play, what is his position? "Do you see him as a number 10? Do you see him as a holding midfielder? He almost confuses the whole system. I mean, he has been brilliant, don't get me wrong. But when you're getting £100m for him, you snap your hands and take it."
Metro
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Man Utd fans certain Bruno Fernandes is leaving after cryptic Instagram message
Many Manchester United fans believe Bruno Fernandes is leaving after the club captain posted a cryptic message on his Instagram story. While 2024/25 was a terrible season for United, it was terrific on an individual level for Fernandes who recorded 19 goals and 20 assists in all competitions. While Ruben Amorim plots a complete overhaul of his squad, the attacking midfielder is the one player he cannot afford to lose and yet that is the very thing that could happen. Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are desperate to sign the 31-year-old so he can play at the Club World Cup which begins in just a few weeks. Reports say Al-Hilal are willing to pay United £100million for his services and will triple Fernandes' current £250,000-a-week salary, an offer he is giving serious consideration to. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Speaking after United's post-season tour match against Hong Kong on Friday, Amorim was confident his star player would not be leaving Old Trafford. But the transfer saga took another twist on Saturday, when Fernandes posted a mysterious message in Portuguese on social media. Translated to English, it reads: 'If you tried and failed, congratulations! There are people who don't even try.' Naturally, football fans were quick to put on their tin foil hats and attempt to decode what exactly Fernandes meant. Many seemed convinced the message confirms that the Portugal international will be departing the Red Devils, with one supporter on Reddit writing: 'He's gone. Tried but couldn't save the club.' Another added: 'He's leaving. He tried his very best throughout his time with us, and gave it his all, but it wasn't enough. 'And there are many our players who didn't even try, or give it their all, or did their best, or display the same commitment and drive that he has.' 'Sounds like he's leaving,' another concurred. 'Nothing wrong with providing his family with generational wealth. Who knows, this might be a blessing in disguise.' 'Well, it was a privilege watching you play cap. I think this might be it,' a thankful fan said. Not everyone interpreted it that way however, with some thinking that the very opposite has happened: 'Saudi tried to take him, they failed. This is what I'm choosing to believe.' 'Two options: 1. Saudi tried to buy him but they failed or 2. He tried to succeed at Man Utd but he failed so he is leaving,' one fan pondered. Some read the message as Fernandes replying to the widespread criticism of United: 'A response to all the negativity this season. We failed but at least we tried. Unlike all the armchair critics.' Speaking after Man Utd's 3-1 win over Hong Kong on Friday, Ruben Amorim was asked whether Bruno Fernandes had played his final game for the Red Devils. 'I don't think so, I don't know for sure. Nobody knows but I don't think so,' the head coach replied. 'I think he is seeing us taking some actions to change all the things and I think he saw that and I think he wants to stay. 'He is saying no to a lot of things but he shows he wants to win. He's really young, he's really good he needs to be in the best league in the world.' Read the full quotes here. 'So many ways to interpret this. I think he is trying to see the season as something a bit positive as in he at least tried his best.' More Trending And there were also a few certain that the message doesn't mean anything at all and is being over analysed, with one fan joking: 'We need a five episode documentary for this. 'Call in the experts, Ronaldo, Pogba, Rio, Scholes, Carragher, Neville, also add an ex NBA player for some out of the box opinion.' We're likely to discover the true meaning very soon, as Al-Hilal have reportedly given Fernandes until the end of next week to decide on whether he wants to join them or not, with the deadline to sign players for the Club World Cup on June 10. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd told £17m Premier League star would be 'comfortable fit' for Ruben Amorim MORE: Man Utd plotting sensational move for £67m star to replace Bruno Fernandes MORE: Man Utd dealt huge blow in pursuit of £50m Liam Delap alternative
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd identify Fernandes replacement if skipper makes £100m Saudi transfer
Al-Hilal are hoping to tempt Bruno Fernandes to make the move to Saudi Arabia and Manchester United are interested in Pedro Goncalves as a potential replacement for their captain Manchester United are lining up Sporting Lisbon's attacking midfielder Pedro Gonclaves as a replacement for £100million Saudi target Bruno Fernandes. The Reds were tracking the 26-year-old Portuguese international before Al-Hilal sent shockwaves around Old Trafford by indicating they are prepared to pay a fortune for Fernandes. But if Fernandes decides to accept a three-year contract worth a staggering £180million then that would give United the finances to meet Sporting's £70million valuation of Gonclaves. His arrival would help ease the anger that Ruben Amorim would feel about losing his captain. Fernandes scored 19 goals and provided 20 assists in a struggling team this season, but at 30 he is four years older than Goncalves. Goncalves plays in a more advanced role than Fernandes after Amorim transformed him into a lethal attacking midfielder who can also play out wide when they were together at Sporting. The United boss spotted his potential for goals at a pre-season training camp in 2020 - and was rewarded with 23 goals and for assists in 32 games as Sporting won the Portuguese title for the first time in 19 years. Goncalves has recently returned from injury after rupturing a thigh muscle in Amorim's final game as Sporting coach in November. He had been attracting the attention of Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen before being sidelined. An added complication for any deal with Sporting for Goncalves is the speculation over the Portuguese club's Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres. Napoli are ready to battle Arsenal for the £67million-rated goal machine, while Amorim also admires the 26-year-old former Brighton, Swansea and Coventry forward. Sporting would be reluctant to cash in on two of the players who have just helped them retain the title in the same summer. Amorim has made it clear he does not want to lose his skipper, but the prospect of using the cash to help finance a rebuild has prompted his Old Trafford bosses to leave the decision up to Fernandes. Al-Hilal have set a Friday deadline for Fernandes to give them an answer. Sporting will cash in again if Fernandes decides to go to the Saudi Pro League after negotiating a 10 percent cut of any profit United make on the 30-year-old when he left Lisbon for Manchester in a deal initially worth £47million plus add-ons. That means the Portuguese club would bank over £6million if United seal a deal with Al-Hilal.
Metro
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Man Utd plotting move for £67m star to replace Bruno Fernandes this summer
Manchester United are weighing up a move for Sporting CP star Pedro Goncalves as a replacement for Bruno Fernandes should he leave Old Trafford this summer. Fernandes has a staggering offer from Al-Hilal and is giving serious thought to leaving United after his representatives met with officials from the Saudi club this week. Al-Hilal are prepared to pay up to £100million to land the Portugal international – comfortably the biggest fee United have ever received for a player – and are prepared to treble the £250,00-a-week wages he currently collects in Manchester. Fernandes played in United's final post-season friendly on Friday – what could be his last appearance for the club. Ruben Amorim remains confident Fernandes will stay, hopeful the club can find otherwise to raise funds this summer, but reports in Portugal suggest contingencies are already being explored. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. A Bola claim United are giving strong consideration to a move for Goncalves. The 26-year-old, who was briefly on the books of Wolves, returned to Portugal in 2019 and was a key player under Amorim during his rise at Sporting. Having typically starred on the left of attack, Goncalves can also operate in midfield. The report suggests United regard him as a possible replacement for Fernandes with the move currently under consideration at Old Trafford. However, they may also still make an offer even if they hold onto their captain. Amorim is eager to strengthen his attacking options with Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Antony among those expected to leave. Goncalves has a release clause of €80million (£67m) which Sporting would expect to be met in full. The Portuguese champions are not looking to sell and while they intent to offer him a new contract, Goncalves plans to wait and see what developments emerge in the coming weeks. Sporting are ready to sell Viktor Gyokeres this month, another player coveted by United, but have no plans to negotiate a lower fee for Goncalves. Al-Hilal meanwhile want a deal for Fernandes signed, sealed and delivered before their Club World Cup campaign begins in June. Despite the growing uncertainty over his skipper, Amorim remained defiant on Friday, still believing Fernandes will be leading his side out next season. More Trending 'I don't think so, I don't know for sure,' Amorim said when asked if Friday's friendly was Fernandes' last game. 'Nobody knows but I don't think so. 'I think he is seeing us taking some actions to change all the things and I think he saw that and I think he wants to stay. 'He is saying no to a lot of things but he shows he wants to win. He's really young, he's really good he needs to be in the best league in the world. 'We can find another way to earn money.' MORE: Man Utd dealt huge blow in pursuit of £50m Liam Delap alternative MORE: Man Utd still eager to sign Arsenal's £85m target after Liam Delap blow MORE: Man City ready bid to sign £34m star ahead of Man Utd and Liverpool
