- Al-Hilal are prepared to break the British transfer record to buy Fernandes
- The Saudi Pro League side could pay Fernandes around £200m over three years
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Arsenal need to sign players for the here and now to win the Premier League… so, should they sign Harry Kane?
Ruben Amorim says he understands why Al-Hilal want to sign Bruno Fernandes, but is determined to hold onto his Manchester United captain.
The Saudi Pro League club are prepared to break the British transfer record to buy Fernandes this summer and pay him around £200million over a three-year contract following talks with his camp.
But Amorim knows how important the 30-year-old is to United’s plans after seeing his Portuguese compatriot contribute 19 goals and 18 assists this season, and has no intention of letting Fernandes leave in the summer.
‘I think it is easy to understand (his importance), not just because of the numbers but the way he plays, the importance that he has during his five years here,’ said Amorim.
‘He is a top player and we need top players. He is a leader, he’s the captain, so he’s really important. It’s normal that a lot of clubs want a player like Bruno, like (Alejandro) Garnacho, like others. But we want to keep the best players, and Bruno is clearly one of the top players in the world, so our idea didn’t change. We want Bruno here.’
As Amorim bids to lead United into the Europa League final as they defend a 3-0 first-leg lead against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night, he was asked about a comment in January when he claimed his team were probably one of the worst in the club’s history.
Man United boss Ruben Amorim is determined to keep Bruno Fernandes amid Saudi interest
Al-Hilal are prepared to offer Fernandes a mega three-year contract worth around £200million
The Manchester United skipper has contributed 19 goals and 18 assists this season
‘I think you have to see the quote in the moment,’ he said. ‘So things can change so for me, and if you look to the Premier League I think we are the one of the worst teams in terms of results.
‘In the end of the season, we can be the worst team in PL history with a European title. We know this season was really disappointing for everybody. I felt that and still feel this season was the worst, I don’t say in history but in the last 50 years, I don’t know.’
Amorim was also asked about Arsene Wenger’s claims over weekend that the Europa League winners should return to the competition the following season rather than gain automatic qualification for the Champions League.
He added: ‘I just know the rules. If people want to change the rules by all means, but these are the rules. If you win the Europa League, you go to the Champions League.
‘I know the Champions League should be for teams who are champions, or the best team in the league, but they find this way of promoting the (Europa League) competition. We cannot go by the Premier League. We follow the rules and go by the Champions League.’
