Bruno Fernandes has been linked with a move away from Manchester United after their defeat in the Europa League final
Felix Keith and Jake Stokes Senior Sport Central Audience Writer
20:30, 22 May 2025
Bruno Fernandes has been presented with an offer following Manchester United‘s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, according to reports. After failing to secure Champions League football next season, the Reds are preparing for significant changes in the summer transfer window, and their captain could be among those departing.
The Mirror reports United have made their entire squad available for transfer following their loss in Bilbao. This drastic transfer approach includes Fernandes and other key players such as Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Andre Onana, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is prepared to take a ruthless approach to provide Ruben Amorim with a new squad for the 2025/26 season. United aim to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, but they reportedly only have about £100m to spend before considering sales.
Fernandes’ contract with United runs until June 2027, and the club also has the option to extend it for another year. However, following the defeat in Bilbao, the 30-year-old conceded that he would understand if United decided to sell him – a scenario that has now become a real possibility.
Now, Sky Sports reports that Al-Hilal are interested in signing the Portugal international, and their offer could be imminent due to the Club World Cup. The Saudi Arabian giants, who will play in the tournament in the United States next month, will be able to sign players from June 1.
They have already lured former Premier League players such as Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Kalidou Koulibaly, and it is now claimed they are stepping up their efforts to recruit Fernandes. It was reported earlier this month by Mirror Football that Al-Hilal’s president, Fahad bin Nafel, met with the United captain’s agent, Miguel Ruben, and lawyer, Caetano Maria, to discuss the possibility of a three-year deal.
Although this initial approach was rejected by Fernandes’ representatives, Al-Hilal remain undeterred, it is claimed, and the midfielder’s candid remark to media outlets in northern Spain will have given them reason to believe a deal could still be struck.
When questioned about his future, Fernandes said: “If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it is what it is. And football sometimes is like this.
“I have always been honest. I’ve always said I will be here until the club says to me that it’s time to go. I’m eager to do more, to be able to bring the club to the great days.
“In the day that the club thinks that I’m too much or it’s time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I’ve always said it and I keep my word in the same way.”
Fernandes has been with United since joining from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 for £68m, and, in that time, he has become a vital part of the team. In 289 appearances, he has contributed 98 goals and 86 assists.
Following Erik ten Hag’s appointment, Fernandes took over the role of captain from Harry Maguire. The Portuguese playmaker has been the standout player for United this season, contributing 19 goals and 19 assists in 56 appearances.
However, with the Reds languishing in 16th place in the Premier League and facing a year without European football, Ratcliffe is said to be prepared to conduct a ruthless clear-out this summer.
While loan players Rashford, Sancho and Antony are the main candidates for sale, there’s a sense that the club may need to part ways with some key figures as well. Amorim has previously lauded Fernandes as one of the world’s top players and dismissed speculation about his future.
Speaking to the BBC in early-March, Ratcliffe said of Fernandes: “There are some great players in the squad as we know, the captain is a fabulous footballer. We definitely need Bruno, he’s a fantastic footballer.”
Margherita Ramage
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