Al-Ittihad, a Saudi Pro League team, is apparently pursuing Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, and the two teams have already met.
Earlier this summer, Fernandes was being courted by the Saudi team Al-Hilal, and it appeared like the Portuguese playmaker would sign with them until he made a dramatic U-turn and decided to remain at Old Trafford.
The Sun claims that Al-Ittihad is making a last-ditch effort to sign the 30-year-old with just one week left before the summer transfer window ends.
According to the source, Al-Itthiad and Fernandes had a “positive” meeting, and the Middle Eastern team is “very keen” to recruit him.
According to reports, Fernandes requested an extravagant contract of approximately £33 million annually from Al-Ittihad during the talks.
According to reports, Al-Hilal was offering Fernandes about £66 million annually, or £1.3 million per week, for a total deal of almost £200 million over the course of his contract.
Although Fernandes is regarded as being essential to United’s reconstruction effort, the team is in dire need of financial stability after spending £72 million on Benjamin Sesko, £71 million on Bryan Mbeumo, and approximately £62 million on Matheus Cunha. Diego Leon, a young left-back, also came for £7 million.
There are currently no known outgoings from permanent moves at United. While Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans all went on free transfers, they did loan Marcus Rashford to Barcelona, who will cover his whole wage at the Nou Camp.
However, United might be persuaded to cut a player who reportedly makes £300,000 per week from their payroll.
Earlier this summer, Fernandes stated that he would stay with the team until he was informed differently, but that he could leave if they ever decided to cash in on him.
“I have always been honest,” he said. “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 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.”
Fernandes also stressed his desire to continue playing at the highest level, adding: “I want to play major competitions. I know I still can and I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most.
“For better or worse, this is how I see football and I’m passionate about football and this is the decision I’ve made.”
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