Manchester United could be bracing for one of the biggest transfer tug-of-wars of 2025, as two Saudi Arabian powerhouses have reportedly set their sights on club captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfield maestro, who has been the creative engine and emotional heartbeat of United since his arrival in 2020, is now at the center of growing speculation linking him with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League this coming summer.
Sources close to the situation suggest that Al Nassr and Al Hilal—two of the most dominant forces in Saudi football—are both preparing massive bids to lure Fernandes away from Old Trafford. Both clubs are said to be ready to offer wages that could triple his current £240,000-a-week salary, along with long-term deals that would make him one of the highest-paid players in world football.
For Manchester United, the timing of this potential approach is tricky. The club is in a period of rebuilding under manager Rúben Amorim, who considers Fernandes a vital figure in his tactical setup. Losing their captain and primary playmaker in January or even next summer would be a major setback to United’s ambitions of returning to Europe’s elite. Amorim has already made it clear that he sees Fernandes as “untouchable,” but the financial lure from the Gulf could test both the club’s and the player’s resolve.
Meanwhile, Fernandes, now 31, has not publicly commented on the reports, but insiders claim he remains focused on leading United through their Premier League and European campaigns. However, he has also expressed admiration in the past for the growing competitiveness and global appeal of the Saudi Pro League—a statement that may now come back under the spotlight.
Saudi Arabia’s clubs have already made waves by attracting top European stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema, and adding Bruno Fernandes would further elevate the league’s profile. For the player, it could be a golden final chapter in a glittering career; for United, it could spell the end of an era.
With the January window approaching, all eyes will be on Old Trafford. Will Fernandes stay loyal to United’s ongoing project—or will the desert gold prove too tempting to resist?
