Bruno Fernandes is spotted dining with Al-Hilal ‘secret agent’ as Man United captain weighs up £200m Saudi mega-move
Bruno Fernandes fueled speculation surrounding a potential move to the Saudi Pro League after he was spotted dining with an Al Hilal star.
The Manchester United captain has an offer on the table believed to be worth £200milion over a three-year contract to join the Saudi club. Al-Hilal will push Fernandes for a response to their £700,000-a-week tax-free deal, before approaching the Red Devils with an offer in the region of £100m.
Mail Sport understands Fernandes’ agent, Miguel Pinho, spent three days at the Four Seasons hotel in Riyadh last week, where he held face-to-face talks with Al-Hilal officials.
But Fernandes’ agent was not the only one in contact with Al Hilal personnel.
The player himself was spotted at Joao Cancelo’s birthday party over the weekend, sharing a group meal to celebrate the former Manchester City star turning 31.
The two countrymen will both suit up for the Portuguese national team later this week, but the timing of this link-up will only send speculation soaring.
Bruno Fernandes was spotted dining with Joao Cancelo at the Al Hilal star’s birthday party
The two players both suit up for the Portuguese national team together and are good friends
Mail Sport understands Fernandes has been given a week to decide if he wants to accept Al Hilal’s three-year £200m contract offer
Fernandes just recently jetted back from United’s miserable post-season tour in the Far East, where they limply lost in Malaysia against ASEAN All-Stars, in front of fans who had paid up to £260 to attend.
After the second game of their tour, in which they came back from a goal down to beat Hong Kong 3-1, Ruben Amorim insisted he does not believe Fernandes has played his last match for United.
The beleaguered boss: ‘I don’t think so. I don’t know for sure. I think he wants to stay. He is saying no to a lot of things.
‘The club can find other ways to make money. The feeling I get is that he wants to continue for sure with Man United, you never know.’
Fernandes’ recent social media activity could also be seen as a hint that he plans on staying.
The 30-year-old reposted United’s post on Instagram officially announcing Matheus Cunha’s £62.5m move to Old Trafford on Sunday.
United sources have re-iterated that they do not want to sell Fernandes, but the club are under even greater financial pressure after their defeat by Tottenham in the Europa League final cost them £100m in Champions League revenue.
Speaking after the final, Fernandes himself acknowledged the possibility of a summer exit.
Fernandes’ agent, Miguel Pinho (left), spent three days in Saudi last week to discuss a move
Fernandes admitted the possibility of a summer exit after United’s Europa League final defeat
But the United captain was quick to welcome Matheus Cunha to Old Trafford on Instagram
He said defeatedly: ‘If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it’s what it is. Football sometimes is like this.’
Al Hilal are keen to sign the Portugal international in time for the revamped 32-team Club World Cup, which begins on June 14.
They have been drawn in Group H alongside European champions Real Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg and Mexican side Pachuca.
Teams are expected to take this year’s Club World Cup more serious than ever before, considering the mammoth prize pool at stake, which could be why Al Hilal are so keen on signing Fernandes as soon as possible.
The side that takes the trophy home will receive a windfall of $40m (£30m), while a team winning of their games could see them land up to $125m (£92m).
For reference, the winner of the Champions League earns around £120m, while the Premier League champions typically earn between £38m and £40m for finishing first.
