Bruno Fernandes has once again been linked with a sensational move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Nassr the latest club reportedly vying for his signature.
The Manchester United maestro was the subject of a stunning £200million proposal from Al-Hilal earlier this summer after Mail Sport revealed his agent had travelled to Riyadh for face-to-face talks.
Fernandes ultimately turned down the lucrative offer at the wish of Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim, with the midfielder keen to prolong his career in Europe.
But, according to Portuguese publication A Bola, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are now considering tabling a bid for Fernandes.
It’s thought that the club’s new coach Jorge Jesus – who gave Fernandes his Sporting Lisbon debut in 2017 – wants to make him the latest Portuguese star to embark on a Saudi switch.
He would join Ronaldo, Otavio and more recently Joao Felix in Riyadh if a deal was complete.
Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr are reportedly interested in signing Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United
The move would see Fernandes link up with his Portuguese team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix
After a dismal year at Chelsea and later on loan at AC Milan, 25-year-old Felix made the move this week after Al-Nassr paid an initial £26million transfer fee to the Blues, which could rise to £43m.
It would be something of a surprise to United fans if Bruno left now, just a couple of weeks ahead of the club’s first game of the Premier League season against Arsenal.
Announcing his decision to stay in Manchester in June, Fernandes said in a statement: ‘It would have been an easy move. I had Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo there (at Al-Hilal), two people I have a great friendship with.
‘But I want to stay at the highest level, play in big competitions, because I still feel capable.
‘There was an opportunity. The president called me and asked if I wanted to go there. They were waiting for me.
‘I spoke to coach Amorim and he asked me not to go. Manchester United didn’t want to sell me. They don’t need the money. If I had wanted to leave, they would have made it happen.’
The loss of club captain Fernandes would come as a huge blow to United as they look to avenge a dire season in 2024/25.
Amorim’s side slumped to their worst ever Premier League finish of 15th, which was compounded by a disappointing 1-0 loss to Ange Postocoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
New Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus has worked with the midfielder before at Sporting Lisbon
Fernandes, however, announced his decision to stay at Old Trafford back in June
Amorim and club officials have so far strengthened this summer with the signings of Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha, paying around £70m for each player.
It’s hoped the two Premier League-proven additions will boost a struggling Red Devils front line, which will be almost totally new-look come the start of next season.
United are reportedly working on a deal to bring RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko to Old Trafford, with Rasmus Hojlund potentially going the other way in a swap.
But it’s thought the Red Devils need to offload players before they make an official bid, with a ‘bomb squad’ of four outcasts set for exits.
While Marcus Rashford has already made his dream move to Barcelona, United are still trying to sort transfers which will see Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia leave the club. The quartet are not with United on their pre-season tour of America.
After an impressive loan with Real Betis, Antony has been the subject of interest from Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and the Saudi Pro League this summer, but club officials in Manchester are yet to have received a formal offer.
While Juventus are said to be interested in Jadon Sancho, who it’s highly unlikely will stay at United after a break down in his relationship with Red Devils supporters.
Garnacho meanwhile has reportedly made Chelsea his ‘priority’ this summer, with the Argentine said to be keen on a move south to London.
The Blues however also need to offload players before sending an offer to United.
