Premier League giant Manchester United’s resolve to keep captain Bruno Fernandes will face a severe test in the January transfer window next year.
As Man Utd continue to struggle on the pitch this season, clubs from the Saudi Pro League and Europe are closely monitoring the situation, planning to capitalize on the chaos to make a move for the Portuguese midfield core. This summer, Al-Hilal made a £100 million bid for Fernandes, and the Portuguese star publicly stated at the time that he would be willing to leave if Man Utd decided to cash in on him.
Although Fernandes—whose contract runs until 2027—and the club jointly rejected the offer, emphasizing his desire to continue playing in top-flight football, sources revealed that Saudi clubs are prepared to reignite their pursuit in January. By then, they could offer a sky-high contract with a £700,000 weekly wage (tax-free)—more than double his current salary.
For European giants competing in the Champions League, Fernandes holds additional appeal: since Man Utd have missed out on European football this season, he will not be restricted by UEFA competition registration rules. While the 31-year-old Fernandes chose to stay at the club this summer, Amorim’s side have made a dismal start to the new season—only picking up 7 points from 6 Premier League games to sit 14th in the table, and suffering a humiliating exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town.
Controversially, Amorim has insisted on deploying Fernandes in a more defensively demanding defensive midfield role, which has clearly limited the display of his attacking talents. This season, Fernandes has repeatedly shown signs of frustration on the pitch, yet the manager—who is under immense managerial pressure—has so far shown no intention of adjusting his position.
