Bruno Fernandes turns down £200m Al Hilal offer to stay in Europe

Bruno Fernandes has firmly rejected a proposal worth up to £200 million from Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal. By opting to continue his career in Europe, the Portuguese midfielder has reaffirmed his future at Manchester United. This decision, one of the most notable developments of the summer transfer window, highlights that even the continent’s most influential captains cannot be swayed by Saudi money.

Al Hilal turned to Fernandes after Salah talks stalled

According to The Athletic, after failing to make progress in talks for Mohamed Salah, Al Hilal shifted their attention to Fernandes. Their offer included a £100 million transfer fee to United and a three-year contract for the player worth close to £200 million in total. The Guardian reported that the offer was submitted before the FIFA Club World Cup squad registration deadline. However, as Fabrizio Romano revealed, Fernandes immediately turned it down.

This decision is entirely consistent with the stance Fernandes has expressed repeatedly. In a post-season interview cited by BBC Sport, he clearly stated: “I have no plans to leave Manchester United.” The club’s management, likewise, never entered serious negotiations regarding the sale of their captain.

Sporting ambition outweighs financial reward

Fernandes’s distant stance toward Al Hilal was a clear reflection of his desire to remain at the highest level of European football. Saudi officials believed the transfer would materialise, but the 30-year-old’s decision never wavered.

“I’ve always worked to stay at the top level. I want to win here.”

With this statement, Fernandes made it clear that his decision was driven not by emotional loyalty, but by competitive goals. His focus remains on winning trophies in Europe.

Fernandes stays but financial pressure remains at United

While Fernandes’s presence ensures continuity from a footballing perspective, Manchester United still face complex financial constraints. According to Sky Sports, the club has set a £100 million transfer budget for the summer, a large portion of which has already been committed to the signing of Matheus Cunha. The Times reports that Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford is also on the list, which would require additional financial resources.

As a result, players such as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Antony have been placed on the transfer list. According to The Telegraph, manager Rúben Amorim has informed Alejandro Garnacho that he no longer figures in his plans. Amorim left Garnacho out of the squad for the final match of the season and explicitly told the player to find a new club.

Leadership and tactical continuity under Amorim

Fernandes continues to play a pivotal role not only through his direct contributions—19 goals and 19 assists last season—but also through his influence on tactical structure and club culture. As Amorim establishes a new framework at Manchester United, Fernandes is central to that vision. His leadership on the pitch and impact within the dressing room remain key pillars in the club’s rebuilding process.