- Al Hilal had approached Fernandes over the Man United captain joining the club
- They made direct contact with his agent, who spent three days in discussions
- Fernandes has revealed the role his wife played in helping him decided to stay
Bruno Fernandes has revealed that his wife helped to ‘put my professional priorities’ front of mind ahead of his rejection of a lucrative proposal from the Saudi Pro League.
On Tuesday, reports claimed that the Portuguese turned down a stunning £200m proposal from Al-Hilal. The Saudi club are said to have tabled a three-year contract – and were ready to bid in the region of £100m for the midfielder.
However, it was revealed that Fernandes had come to a decision over his future and rejected the proposal from the Saudi giants.
While on international duty with his national team, the 30-year-old addressed the links, revealing that he thought long and hard about the oppurtunity before ultimately concluding – with the help of his wife Ana Pinho – that he had more to give in a top European league.
‘There was that possibility, the president of Al Hilal called me a month ago to ask,’ said Fernandes. ‘There was a waiting period on my part to think about what the future would hold. I would be open to it, if Manchester United felt it was my time.
‘I spoke with Mr Ruben Amorim, who really tried to talk me out of it. I spoke with the club, which wasn’t willing to sell, only if I truly wanted to leave.
Bruno Fernandes has revealed the role his wife played in his decision to turn down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia
Fernandes and Ana Pinho first met when the midfielder was 17 and the couple were married in 2015
Fernandes revealed that the former futsal referee had to pay for their early dates because he had no money
‘We never talked about money; that was all handled by my agent, not me.I spoke with my family to understand if that was what I wanted for my future.
‘It was actually my wife who asked me — I never said yes or no. She put my professional priorities ahead of everything else. It would have been an easy move. I had Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo there, 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. I want to keep being happy, I’m still very passionate about this sport, and I’m happy with my decision.’
Fernandes and Pinho’s romance began when the Red Devils skipper was only 17 and they have been married since 2015. Fernandes revealed last year that Ana – who is a former futsal referee – had to pay for their early dates because he was skint as a teenager.
The detail that Fernandes is keen to play at the ‘top level in Europe’ could still spell trouble for United – who finished 15th in the league and lost the Europa League final.
Had they won that match, against Premier League rivals Tottenham, they would have qualified for the Champions League and been in good stead to keep Fernandes.
It remains to be seen which top European sides would be interested in Fernandes.
Amorim has consistently maintained that Fernandes is central to his team and his plans as part of a rebuild this summer and that money can be raised through other means, namely the sales of Antony, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho.
Fernandes ultimately decided to turn down the proposal as he intended to continue playing at the elite level
Ruben Amorim was keen for his compatriot to remain at Old Trafford as he atteempts to build a squad capable of carrying out his style
Many United fans have been uncertain over Fernandes’ future given his recent social media activity and the fact the star was spotted alongside an Al-Hilal star.
The player himself was seen at 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 only sent speculation soaring.
Fernandes’ appearance at the function also came shortly after a cryptic social media post which lead some fans into believing he would be on his way out of Old Trafford.
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.
