The Saudi side, Al Hilal, wants Bruno Fernandes with a £100m fee and huge wages; Amorim believes he’ll stay

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is the latest Premier League star to be lured by the riches of Saudi Arabia, as Al Hilal prepare a jaw-dropping £100m offer to sign the Portuguese midfielder. The Saudi Pro League giants are also willing to almost treble his £250,000-a-week wages, offering a staggering salary that could place him among the highest-paid players in the world.

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol confirmed that Fernandes’ agent, Miguel Pinho, has flown to Riyadh for high-level talks with Al Hilal executives. Sources close to the club view the visit as a major step in their attempt to pull off one of the summer’s most audacious transfers.

Saudi insiders believe Pinho’s presence in Riyadh is a positive sign, signalling at least a willingness to explore the offer. If successful, Al Hilal would land not just United’s captain but also one of Europe’s most influential playmakers.

Fernandes, who turned 30 in September and remains under contract until 2027—with the option of an extra year—has been a cornerstone of United’s squad since arriving in January 2020. Despite the money on the table, United boss Ruben Amorim remains confident his skipper will reject the lure of the Gulf.

Speaking after United’s recent 3-1 friendly win in Hong Kong, Amorim said: “I don’t think he’s played his last game for us. He’s saying ‘no’ to a lot of things, and that tells you he wants to win. He belongs in the best league in the world.”

Amorim added: “Yes, we can turn down a £100m bid. We can find another way to raise funds. I have a good feeling when I speak to him—he knows what we’re building here, even though he’s been frustrated at times.”

The coach’s calm assurance contrasts sharply with the aggressive financial muscle Al Hilal is flexing. Their £100m bid would make Fernandes United’s most expensive outgoing ever, surpassing even Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid in 2009.

Fernandes’ leadership and consistency have made him a fan favourite and vital to United’s midfield. His ability to dictate tempo, score goals, and lead under pressure has earned praise from Amorim, who recently highlighted his “unshakeable winning mentality”.

Nevertheless, Al Hilal’s interest is rooted in cold logic. At 30, Fernandes is approaching the latter half of his prime, and while United want to keep him, the Saudi club believes every player has a price. Fernandes, they argue, could become the face of the Saudi league’s next phase of growth—an elite playmaker with a global profile and leadership pedigree.

United, meanwhile, are preparing for a crucial summer window and may be forced to fend off not only Al Hilal’s financial power but also potential discontent if Fernandes feels torn between legacy and a once-in-a-lifetime payday.

The Portuguese star signed a contract extension just last summer, keeping him at Old Trafford until at least 2027, but the terms were agreed before Saudi clubs began reshaping the global football economy.

Whether Fernandes stays loyal to United’s project or accepts Al Hilal’s offer will now come down to personal choice, not finances. United’s stance is firm—they want their captain to stay—but the final word rests with the player himself.