For Manchester United, who are actually in financial trouble after several miserable seasons in a row and huge loans, it will be like weathering a desert storm to be able to keep hold of captain Bruno Fernandes this summer.
We saw with our own eyes how difficult it was for Liverpool to keep hold of Mohamed Salah when Saudi Arabia tempted with all the money in the world. – It doesn’t get any easier for Manchester United now that Al Hilal, who have a £500m transfer budget this summer, have put Bruno Fernandes at the top of their summer list.
According to Sky Sport, the only option for Manchester United to say no to desert money is if they win the Europa League and get the money that comes with qualification for the Champions League into their budgets.
Read: Leeds pull up a transfer budget that makes Manchester United gang green with envy
Manchester United insist Bruno Fernandes is not for sale, but… Al Hilal has already offered the midfielder a three-year contract.
It is understood that Al Hilal could make a British record bid in a bid to lure Fernandes away from Old Trafford – Moises Caicedo’s £115m move from Brighton to Chelsea is the current record.
This comes after they previously failed to sign Mohamed Salah from Liverpool. – The Egyptian signed a new two-year contract extension in April that ties him to Anfield until 2027.
Al Hilal reportedly have at least £510 million set aside to spend on shoping this summer, money that was supposed to pay Mohamed Salah.
Since joining Manchester United in 2020, Fernandes has scored 98 goals and provided 85 assists in 285 appearances for United.
Of those goal contributions, 37 have come this season, with the former Sporting Lisbon player standing out in an otherwise disappointing season.
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