Riyadh, August 2 – Al Nassr have made a formal approach to sign Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, with manager Jorge Jesus keen on a reunion with the Portuguese midfielder he once handed a debut to at Sporting CP.
According to reports from A Bola, the Saudi Pro League giants have stepped up their pursuit of the 30-year-old this week, making their interest official as they continue to bolster their squad in a bid to dominate both domestically and in the AFC Champions League.
Fernandes, who remains a central figure at Old Trafford, turned down a mammoth offer from Al Hilal earlier this summer. That deal was said to be worth an eye-watering £200 million over three years, but the playmaker opted to remain in Manchester — at least for the time being.
Now, with his former mentor at the helm in Riyadh, the situation has shifted. Jorge Jesus played a pivotal role in Fernandes’ early career and is now eager to bring him into the fold at Al Nassr, where Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané are already part of an ambitious project.
Despite recently reaffirming his commitment to United, Fernandes has left the door slightly ajar regarding his long-term future. Speaking earlier this summer, he hinted that a move away from the Premier League could not be ruled out.
Al Nassr’s renewed interest adds another layer of intrigue to what is shaping up to be a defining summer for Fernandes. United, under the stewardship of Erik ten Hag, are unlikely to part ways easily with their captain and creative heartbeat — but Saudi clubs have shown they are willing to pay whatever it takes to get their man.
Whether nostalgia and financial firepower prove enough to lure Fernandes away remains to be seen. But the saga is far from over.