In exclusive statements that have attracted the attention of the global sports community, Portuguese star and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes revealed precise details about the negotiations that took place with Saudi club Al-Hilal to try to sign him, stressing the strength of the offer made and his open desire to play in the Saudi Professional League in the future.
Behind the scenes of the direct negotiations
In an interview with Portuguese channel 11, reported by Maisfutebol, the 31-year-old Fernandes explained that the contact was made at the highest level. He said, “The Al-Hilal president spoke to me directly. I received a message from my national teammate Ruben Neves telling me that the club president wanted to talk to me.” He added that the initial aim was to convince him to join the team for the Club World Cup, noting that this wasn't the first attempt, as another had been made in 2023 when Jorge Jesus was the team's coach.
The general context of the Saudi League boom
These negotiations come amidst the radical transformation of the Saudi Professional League, which has become a destination for some of the world's biggest football stars. Since Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr, the door has been opened for other big names like Neymar to Al-Hilal, Karim Benzema to Al-Ittihad, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, and others. This ambitious project, backed by the Public Investment Fund as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, aims to raise the level of competition in the league and establish it among the top 10 leagues in the world, which explains the immense financial resources of Saudi clubs to attract players at the peak of their careers, such as Bruno Fernandes.
The importance of the deal and its potential impact
The mere act of targeting a player of Bruno Fernandes' caliber, the de facto leader and one of the cornerstones of a prestigious club like Manchester United, reflects the seriousness and ambition of the Saudi sports project. Had this deal gone through, it wouldn't have been just a player transfer; it would have sent a powerful message to the world that the Saudi league is no longer limited to attracting players at the end of their careers, but has become a genuine competitor to the biggest European clubs in signing stars at the peak of their powers. This would have raised the league's technical and marketing value to unprecedented levels, both regionally and internationally.
Fernandez's vision for the future
Fernandes admitted the financial offer was very tempting, but insisted money wasn't his primary motivation. He stated, "I can't complain, I earn a good salary, but obviously the difference is huge." He also hinted that Manchester United might have been open to selling him to recoup some of the transfer fee. Despite staying at Old Trafford, Fernandes left the door wide open for a future move, adding, "If I ever have to play in Saudi Arabia, I'll play there. My life will change, and my children's lives will be happier. After six years in Manchester with the cold and rain, I'll be playing in a thriving league with top players.".
