Man Utd face falling victim to Saudi splurge as ‘meeting set’ for Fernandes – Footymercato.com
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The Premier League has witnessed a movement of high-profile stars cashing in and joining the Saudi Arabia football revolution across the past year. Manchester United have so far played a minimal role in the Saudi Pro League’s rise to prominence but could soon face a fight to avoid receiving a transfer hammer blow.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s switch to Al-Nassr just over a month after United terminated his contract was arguably the catalyst for the wave of prominent players taking their talents to the Middle East.
But the Red Devils have only been directly involved in one transfer during the recent Saudi splurge, sending Telles to reunite with Ronaldo in Riyadh in the summer.
Saudi Pro League clubs are expected to be active again in 2024, potentially sticking to their primary transfer strategy of targeting elite names exiting their prime years.
Bruno Fernandes is still operating near the peak of his powers; his sensational winning goal against Fulham on Saturday showcased as much.
However, the United captain is reportedly in the crosshairs of Saudi Arabia, posing the threat of Erik ten Hag losing one of his most influential stars in the second year of his project.
According to Sportitalia, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has already taken concrete steps to put plans in place for the summer transfer window.
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And Fernandes has emerged among the leading targets to add to the state’s world-class player pool for the 2024/25 season.
The report goes as far as to claim Saudi representatives are set to contact Fernandes’ camp to organise a meeting, where they will explore a potential blockbuster move.
Saudi Arabia’s interest in Fernandes isn’t new after unsuccessfully poaching the 29-year-old this summer.
In July, Fabrizio Romano reported that Fernandes had rejected multiple approaches to join the Saudi Pro League as he was only interested in United.
Ten Hag named him club captain later in the summer, replacing Harry Maguire, to highlight his importance in his long-term planning.
But United’s start to the season hasn’t gone to plan, and a regression from last term currently looks far more likely than progression.
If the Old Trafford giants’ fortunes don’t improve, and they go without silverware and Champions League football, Fernandes’ head could be turned if the price is right.
However, there’s no doubt the Portuguese maestro is fully focused on United ahead of a crunch run of fixtures in the coming weeks.
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