Saudi Arabia plans to approach Manchester United again in January to buy Bruno Fernandes, offering a net weekly salary of £700,000! They also want to sign Maguire on a free transfer.

Manchester United’s refusal to sell captain Bruno Fernandes in the summer attracted significant doubts. Early next year, the club executives might be confronted with the same choice once more. Reports indicate that multiple Saudi Arabian top-tier clubs plan to extend another offer to Fernandes in January.

This summer, Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and Al-Ittihad successively knocked on the doors of Manchester United and Fernandes, but neither side accepted. Fernandes and Manchester United each passed the decision to the other, resulting in no one willing to take the first step. The 31-year-old Portuguese stalwart’s contract runs until 2027, but that hasn’t diminished the interest from Saudi investors.

According to the Manchester Evening News, several Saudi clubs remain willing to offer Fernandes a weekly salary of £700,000, along with tax-free benefits. This means that although his official salary would only double, his actual income would be quadrupled! Such a figure could tempt anyone, regardless of loyalty.

It is said that some European clubs are also monitoring Fernandes, but they likely cannot compete financially with the Middle Eastern oil tycoons. Now, it depends again on the attitudes of Fernandes and Manchester United. Reportedly, the Portuguese midfielder is not happy with being deployed deeper in the 3-4-3 formation and often shows frustrated body language during matches.

The reason Fernandes stays at Manchester United is reportedly to maintain stability ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, but next year he may need to reconsider his options. Another captain candidate at Manchester United, Maguire, has also appeared on Saudi Arabia’s transfer wishlist. The 32-year-old’s contract expires in June next year, so the Saudis can freely negotiate or even pre-sign with him in January.

The clubs interested in him reportedly include Al Nassr, where Cristiano Ronaldo plays, and Damac, formerly coached by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. Maguire’s weekly wage at Manchester United is £190,000; renewing his contract would definitely require a significant pay cut. However, joining a Saudi club would not reduce his salary but rather substantially increase it. Approaching his 33rd birthday, he might consider cashing in in the Middle East.

Maguire, who set the world record for the most expensive center-back with an £80 million transfer to Manchester United, still hopes to play in next year’s World Cup. However, he was not selected in Tuchel’s recent England squad, and his chances of playing in a third World Cup are increasingly doubtful. Therefore, he might give up on that dream and ultimately choose financial gain.

It is said that Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will not extend Maguire’s current contract. Coach Amrabat is preparing for a future without Maguire and is concerned about the long-term health of the injury-prone defender Lisandro Martinez. As a result, Everton’s Branthwaite is again linked with a move to Manchester United.

During Ten Hag’s tenure, Manchester United’s £50 million bid for this English left-footed center-back was rejected, with Everton asking for £80 million. Signing this English player remains difficult as he has extended his contract with Everton until 2030.

Another Manchester United player caught up in transfer rumors is striker Zirkzee. With the arrivals of Sheshko, Mbemo, and Cunha, his playing time has diminished. In the 2-0 win over Sunderland, he was an unused substitute. Rumors say Italian clubs remain interested in Zirkzee, with AC Milan and Juventus possibly competing for him in January. Manchester United paid €42.5 million to sign this 24-year-old Dutch forward from Bologna.