Bruno Fernandes: Man United star chased by clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia | OneFootball

The future of Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes will once again be under scrutiny next year after interest from Saudi Arabia was rebuffed by the 31-year-old midfielder in the summer.

A Man in Demand

Al Hilal launched an ambitious approach to sign Fernandes with an eye-watering offer designed to convince him to swap Manchester for the Middle East.

The Athletic reports the Saudi Pro League side tabled a proposal “worth €40 million per year net, plus a further €10m in bonuses” to the player, and talk of a bid “within the range of £80m to £100m” for his club.

United were “open” to Fernandes’ departure if he “showed a desire to leave”. But the club captain ultimately decided against the move – a decision well-received by his head coach and the fanbase alike.

However, Fernandes’ contract – which is set to expire in 2027, but with the option of an additional year – has a release clause worth €65m (£57m) to clubs outside of England, provided it is “triggered early enough”, the BBC revealed last month.

The Portugal international, who will represent his country at the World Cup next summer, is refusing to think about his long-term future until the tournament in North America is over.

“But from my side, that’s not talked about. Because my agent also knows how I work, so if he wants to talk to me, it will be after the World Cup. Because until then, I won’t speak to anyone.”

This open ended answer, in combination with a favourable release clause, has reignited the idea of United’s talisman leaving Old Trafford next summer – with The Athletic revealing there is a number of suitors, inside and outside of Europe, “monitoring” his prospective availability.

“[The World Cup] would appear to rule out any move in January, but it leaves the prospect of a departure in the summer distinctly open. Clubs from Europe have also been monitoring his situation, as well as his Saudi suitors.

“Fernandes will have a year remaining on his contract by that stage, albeit with United retaining a one-year option to extend. It will nevertheless be the last opportunity for the club to extract anything like the money that was on the table last summer. Fernandes may once again have a decision to make.”

Collision Course between Coach and Club

There is no one at Old Trafford who would be more devastated by Fernandes’ exit than his head coach, Ruben Amorim.

The former Sporting manager has built his new team, figuratively and literally, around the 31-year-old, who is simultaneously his leader on and off the pitch, the team’s best attacker, and the only player capable of coming close to offering Amorim what he needs in central midfield.

The Athletic’s analysis of Fernandes captures the integral role he holds for the club – one that is almost impossible to recreate.

“[He] is everywhere all at once, a tireless midfield player who tries to get involved in all phases of play. Whether he’s dropping into midfield and spraying inch-perfect passes out to wingers, or charging into pockets of space in the final third and demanding the ball, his creative influence and ball-striking ability mean that a decisive moment rarely feels far away.

“Fernandes is the conductor, the engine, and the talisman all in one; persistence personified, with more than a few tricks up his sleeve.”

Bruno Fernandes - Career Stats

Statistics provided by Transfermarkt

If INEOS, who took control of the football operation at the Theatre of Dreams last year, were to sanction the departure of Amorim’s “conductor”, it could put them on a direct collision course with their head coach.

Fernandes is not believed to be open to a switch to Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career, still believing – with excellent justification – that he remains capable of playing at the highest level of European football. But the midfielder finds himself playing in a team who increasingly look unlikely of meeting this level.

With a number of clubs on the continent keeping a close eye on developments in Manchester, Fernandes may be presented with another difficult decision next summer: stick with United and endure another campaign of Brexit-inspired football outside of Europe, or look to take up the interest from abroad, and showcase his talents in the Champions League for a European heavyweight.

And with the inclusion of a £57m release clause in his contract, neither INEOS nor Amorim may have any say in where the club’s best player ends up after the World Cup in the summer.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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