Bruno Fernandes confirmed that he rejected a mega-money movement to Saudi Arabia and revealed how conversations with his wife and Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim were the key in his decision.
Hilal had been willing to almost test the wages of £ 250,000 a week a week, after he was willing to pay Manchester United £ 100 million to sign the club's captain.
But on Tuesday morning, Sky Sports News reported that the 30-year-old had rejected Al Hilal's offer because he did not want to move to Saudi Arabia in this phase of his career.
On Tuesday evening, while he was in international service at Portugal, Fernandes confirmed that he was in contact with Al Hilal, but chose the move because he wanted to “stay at the highest level”.
“The president of Al Hilal called me a month ago to ask about the possibility that I moved there,” Fernandes said a press conference, according to Portuguese outlet o jogo.
“I had to wait a while to think about the future. As I always said, I would be willing to do it if United thought it was best to continue.
“I spoke with Ruben Amorim, who really tried to talk to me.
“I spoke with the club, who said they were not willing to sell me, only when I wanted to leave.
“On my part it was a very ambitious proposal, the president was a fantastic person. I never talked about the money, it came up later, with my agent.
“I had to make the decision as a family and understand what I wanted for my future. That was the question that my wife asked, what my professional goals would be. At no time she said yes or no, she always supported me and placed my professional side first.
“It was an easy move, even at family level. I had Ruben Neves, Joao Annalo. My children are used to playing with theirs.
“But I just want to stay at the highest level, play in the big matches, because I am still in it.
“I want to stay happy and do what I love the most. I am still very passionate about this sport. It's my way to see football and I'm happy with my decision.”
Manchester United does not want to sell their captain. He has a contract until 2027 with the option of another year.
The Portugal International has contributed 98 goals and 87 assists in 290 games in all competitions since he moved to Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.
NEV: Bruno needs power of character Man Utd
Gary Neville speaks at the launch of his football diploma at UA92 about Fernandes' decision to stay:
“It is important. The money on the table was large, so there is an element of this situation in which getting that kind of money for a Bruno's age player would not have been a bad deal.
“But on the other hand, the star player of Manchester United, sometimes the only player, was Bruno Fernandes for the past five or six years.
“He is the only player I can point to as a success from all the big signing sessions they have made. He is the only player who has the personality and courage that is needed – if he plays well, Manchester United always has a chance to win a game.
“The fact that he wants to stay, despite all the money offered, he will be more loved by Manchester United fans. To reject that money, when United is on their lowest EB and says,” No, I want to fight, “says a lot about him as a person and character.
“He remains, Matheus Cunha who comes in, gives them a few players with personality, and that can just make a difference next season.”
Follow the transfer window on Sky Sports
The first of two summer transfer pendants are just around the corner – and there is no better place than Sky Sports to get the latest news and rumors of the transfer.
Use the Sky Sports app and website for all your updates in our special transfer center and Premier League Club -Blogs, Plus Live Q & AS with our reporters during the summer.
The transfer show returns to Sky Sports News from Sunday 1 June before the start of the Pre-Club World Cup window and will then be every week evening at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. until the deadline on Tuesday 10 June.
The summer transfer window will be opened again on Monday 16 June to Monday 1 September – with the deadline that was brought forward to 7 p.m. this year.