Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has reportedly emerged as a top target for Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal this summer.
Fernandes has been a shining light at Old Trafford ever since he made the move from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 and has been the Red Devils' standout performer yet again this season.
Indeed, the 30-year-old playmaker has contributed with 19 goals and 18 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions in what has been a turbulent 2024-25 campaign for Man United.
Ruben Amorim's side are languishing in 15th place in the Premier League table, but they have one foot in the Europa League final courtesy of a 3-0 first-leg win over Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, with two of those goals scored by Fernandes.
Man United's No.8 extended his contract at Old Trafford last summer until June 2027, but speculation over a possible big-money exit has surfaced ahead of the new season.
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Fernandes a 'top target' for Al-Hilal - but Man Utd's stance is clear
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal have a genuine interest in Fernandes and have identified the playmaker as one of their top targets this summer.
Al-Hilal - one of four clubs owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - have cash in the bank to sign a high-profile star after one of their other top targets, Mohamed Salah, opted to extend his Liverpool contract.
Romano adds that Fernandes has been high on Al-Hilal's list of targets for the past two years, but they are yet to approach Man United, hold talks with the club or submit a formal bid.
While Man United view Fernandes as a crucial player and have insisted on their 'clear plan' to keep him, Amorim is said to consider his Portuguese compatriot as a key piece of his project and 'clearly' does not want him to leave.
A separate report has claimed that Fernandes is one of four Man United players who are considered 'untouchable' by the club's hierarchy, while offers will be entertained for every other member of Amorim's squad this summer.
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Amorim determined to keep hold of Fernandes at Man Utd
Earlier this year, Fernandes was linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, but Amorim made it clear at the time that an exit from Old Trafford "is not going to happen".
"No, it's not going to happen. He's not going anywhere because I've already told him!" Amorim told reporters in March.
"I want Bruno here because we want to win the Premier League again, so we want the best players to continue with us. He's 30, but he's still so young, because he plays 55 games every season.
"Between assists and goals, he's there for 30 at least, so he's the type of player we want here and he's not going anywhere."
If Man United were to change their stance on Fernandes and decided to part ways in the future, they could look to target Chelsea star Cole Palmer who would allegedly be open to leaving Stamford Bridge in order to join his boyhood Red Devils.
Oliver Thomas
