Ruben Amorim has insisted Bruno Fernandes will not depart this summer, articulating the same Manchester United captain as 'one of the top players globally.'
It is believed that Al Hilal are considering their options. A substantial proposal to attract the Portuguese international player to Saudi Arabia once the season concludes.
Having missed out on Mohamed Salah who last month signed a new contract at Liverpool Al Hilal are intent on signing another major star and are eager to secure Fernandes, who would join forces again with his Portuguese national team colleagues João Cancelo and Rúben Neves.
The Saudis plan to entice Manchester United with a deal that would shatter the current English transfer record, which presently stands at $207 million was what Chelsea forked out to secure Moises Caicedo’s signature three years back. , and present Fernandes with an astonishing yearly contract worth of £65 million.
Fernandes inked a fresh deal at Old Trafford as recent as last summer. And has been electrifying this season, netting 19 goals and dishing out 18 assists.
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Although the choice regarding Fernandes’s future might ultimately lie beyond his control, Amorim strongly insists that his captain won’t be departing.
“It’s straightforward to comprehend [the transfer speculation], not only due to the statistics but also how he performs,” Amorim stated at a press briefing on Wednesday before the Europa League semi-final second-leg match against Athletic Bilbao.
'He is an outstanding player, and we require more players of his caliber. He is also a leader, serving as the team captain.'
'It’s only normal for folks to desire Bruno, but we aim to hold onto him. He ranks among the best players globally.'
Manchester United are reportedly not entertaining any official bids for Fernandes and presently have no intentions of parting ways with him.
Prior to inkling his fresh contract during the previous summer, Fernandes had been tied up with potential transfers to Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, while Saudi teams were equally keen on bringing him aboard at one point.
Fernandes disclosed that he received 'solid proposals' to depart from Manchester, yet his desire was firmly rooted in staying with the team.
This vote of confidence from the club was very important for me,’ Fernandes said.
‘Even because I was approached [by other clubs], the club was aware that there was a possibility of me leaving, I had concrete offers.
'However, the club demonstrated that it required me, indicating it was a period of transformation and they aimed to approach matters distinctively.'
‘I believe there is a dream future at this club with the changes that are taking place. That’s why I chose to stay.
‘There were other directions that would have been interesting for me, other expectations. But I feel good here, I feel loved and I feel that the club has been very respectful of me.’
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