Bruno Fernandes or a third refusal to transfer to Saudi Arabia! Report reveals Al-Ittihad's approach, agent demands £33 million annual salary

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes' agent has met again with senior executives from a Saudi Professional League club to explore the possibility of a summer transfer. Yet, the result might be the same as before, with the 30-year-old Fernandes expected to decline the offer from the oil-backed club for the third time.

When the summer transfer window opened, Al Hilal was the first to approach Fernandes, presenting an astonishing three-year deal valued at £200 million. They were also willing to pay Manchester United a transfer fee between £80 million and £100 million.

Later, Al Nassr also showed interest in Fernandes, whose new coach Jesus was once his mentor at Sporting CP. However, this rumor similarly went nowhere, as the Portuguese stalwart insists on staying at Manchester United unless the club clearly signals otherwise.

Fernandes said: "I spoke with coach Amorim, and he advised me not to go to Saudi Arabia. My wife asked what I wanted to do. I know Portuguese players there, so playing in Saudi Arabia would be easy. But I want to compete at the highest level and aim to win major trophies. Manchester United doesn’t want to sell me. They don’t need the money; if I wanted to leave, they would let me go."

Now, another Saudi giant, Al-Ittihad (also known as Jeddah National), has made another attempt. According to The Sun, senior officials from Al-Ittihad have held talks with Fernandes’ agent and his brother-in-law Miguel Pinho, with the discussions described as "positive." The agent reportedly demanded a contract offering £33 million per year.

An annual salary of £33 million equates to a weekly wage of £660,000! This is double what Fernandes earns at Manchester United. The rumors did not specify if this amount is before or after tax; if it is the usual tax-free salary for Saudi stars, it becomes even more remarkable. The Saudi transfer window closes later than England’s, on Wednesday, September 10.

However, the agent’s meetings with Saudi clubs do not necessarily mean Fernandes is considering leaving. Previously, his agent also negotiated with Al Hilal but ultimately declined their offer. It is reported that unless Manchester United changes their stance this time, Fernandes will remain at Old Trafford. The Portuguese midfielder has stated he has no intention to leave unless the club explicitly tells him to go.

When the rumors resurfaced, Fernandes and club sporting director Jason Wilcox were seen at Carrington training ground on the sidelines of the reserve team match, watching Manchester United’s under-21s secure a 4-2 win over Norwich in the Premier League 2. Afterwards, Fernandes was included in the squad for the second Premier League matchday, leading the team south to London for Sunday’s game against Fulham.

This season, Fernandes might be deployed deeper for Manchester United, playing as the central midfielder in a 3-4-3 formation, which was the role he took in last Sunday’s season opener against Arsenal. However, many Red Devils fans are skeptical about his prospects in this position and believe he could be sold, using his transfer fee to sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleba. Brighton is determined not to sell him this summer and has set a sky-high price of £120 million.

Social media rumors claim that if Fernandes agrees to the transfer, Al-Ittihad is willing to pay a transfer fee between £90 million and £100 million to Manchester United.

However, respected transfer experts Fabrizio Romano, David Ornstein, and Simon Stone have not mentioned any recent links between Fernandes and Saudi clubs, indicating that the likelihood of the deal happening right now is very slim.