Al Hilal Seeks to Bolster its Squad with Bruno Fernandes
The Saudi club Al Hilal is exploring the possibility of signing Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes in the next two weeks. The goal is for the Portuguese player to be able to participate in the Club World Cup.The Saudi Professional League team intends to make a star signing before the start of the tournament in the United States next month.
Conversations with Mohamed Salah concluded when the Egyptian forward renewed his contract with Liverpool. This led Al Hilal to turn their attention to other targets, including United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Both Old Trafford’s executives and coach Ruben Amorim have maintained a firm stance, indicating that the Portuguese international is not available.
However, sources indicate that Al Hilal and the Saudi negotiators believe there is a possibility that United will accept a millionaire offer for the 30-year-old player.
United’s finances have been affected by not qualifying for European competition next season.
The club was already struggling to comply with Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), despite a series of cost-cutting measures and an extensive redundancy program implemented by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United have money available this summer and have agreed to activate the £62.5 million (£84.2 million) release clause in Matheus Cunha’s contract at Wolves.
Losing Fernandes would be a blow for Amorim, but receiving a significant fee, potentially around £100 million, would give the Portuguese coach greater flexibility to revamp his squad.
Amorim failed to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.United agreed to trigger the striker’s £30 million release clause and meet his wage demands during talks with his representatives, but the 22-year-old opted to join Chelsea, citing their Champions League qualification as a key factor.
