Bruno Fernandes Given End-of-May Deadline to Decide on £200M Al-Hilal Offer – Reports
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has reportedly been given a deadline by Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal to decide on a potential move. As per Daily Mail journalist Chris Wheeler, Al-Hilal has presented a lucrative three-year deal worth £65 million per season, totaling around £200 million including bonuses. The club is also prepared to pay a £100 million transfer fee to United.
Al-Hilal is pushing for a quick decision, giving Fernandes 72 hours to respond once the formal offer is made, as they prepare for the Club World Cup.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are facing significant financial struggles. Their recent 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final cost them a place in next season’s Champions League and led to an estimated £100 million revenue loss. The club’s share value dropped by nearly 8%, equating to about £160 million in market value.
United are expected to finish 16th or 17th in the Premier League—one of their worst finishes in recent history. As a result, the club is reportedly considering offloading high-earning players, including Fernandes, to ease financial pressure. Despite having a contract until 2027 and being club captain, the offer from Al-Hilal and United’s dire financial state could influence Fernandes’ decision.
Despite the turmoil, the club continues to back manager Ruben Amorim and now faces a challenging summer transfer window with limited resources.
The **Bruno Fernandes–Al-Hilal saga** has reached a dramatic turning point—and it now looks like a decision with massive ramifications for both the **player** and **Manchester United’s future**. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements and implications:
—
### **The Offer from Al-Hilal:**
* **Wage Package:**
* **£65 million per year for 3 years** = £195 million total (plus bonuses)
* One of the highest salaries ever offered to a European-based footballer.
* **Transfer Fee:**
* **£100 million** to Manchester United—would make Fernandes one of the most expensive sales in Premier League history.
* **Deadline:**
* Fernandes reportedly has **72 hours** to respond once the formal bid is submitted.
* **Al-Hilal is under pressure** to finalize its Club World Cup squad—prompting urgency.
—
### **Manchester United’s Position:**
* **Financial Crisis:**
* **Europa League final loss** to Spurs = **£100 million in lost revenue** (from missing Champions League).
* Share value **dropped nearly 8%**, wiping out **£160 million** in market capitalization.
* Likely **16th or 17th-place finish** will cost further broadcast and prize money.
* **Player Sales a Must:**
* Fernandes is one of the few **high-earning players with major market value**.
* Selling him could **completely reset** Amorim’s budget and allow for multiple signings.
—
### **Fernandes’ Dilemma:**
* **Pros of Joining Al-Hilal:**
* Historic wages.
* Playing in a competitive Saudi league with big names.
* Guaranteed role as a marquee player ahead of the **Club World Cup**.
* **Cons:**
* Leaves European football in his prime at 30.
* Departs as United’s captain in uncertain circumstances.
* Might be perceived as “giving up” too soon by some fans and pundits.
—
### **Ruben Amorim’s Strategy:**
* **Backing from the club remains strong**, but he has little budget to work with.
* **Selling Fernandes would change the game**—potentially funding moves for:
* **Matheus Cunha**
* **Rayan Cherki**
* **Pedro Gonçalves**
* **Liam Delap**
* Possibly even bolster the defense and midfield depth.
—
### **Fan Sentiment:**
* **Split Reaction:**
* Some fans believe accepting £100m+ for a 30-year-old is smart business given FFP constraints.
* Others see Fernandes as irreplaceable and feel this move would leave United soulless in a pivotal year.
—
### **What’s Next?**
* **Ticking Clock:**
* Once the formal offer is lodged, **Fernandes has 72 hours** to make a career-defining decision.
* **Strategic Gamble:**
* If he stays and the club can’t fund reinforcements, United could spiral further.
* If he goes, Amorim gets money—but loses his best leader and creator.
—
Would you like a **scenario breakdown** of:
1. **What United’s squad might look like without Fernandes**, using the £100m proceeds, or
2. **How to rebuild around him** if he stays?
Either scenario will define United’s **2025/26 identity**.
