Bruno Fernandes closer to Saudi switch after Man Utd demands

Carlo Garganese

• 21 May 2024 09:30 BST
• 3 min read

Saudi Arabia’s chances of Bruno Fernandes this summer have increased after the superstar made excessive contract demands to Manchester United.

Manchester World reported that Bruno will be happy to sign a new contract at United but is demanding pay parity with the highest earners at the club.

Bruno is currently the seventh highest earner at United - despite being widely recognised as their best player.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals

He earns £12.5 million a year, compared to the £18.2m of highest earner Casemiro.

Bruno is demanding a figure in this ballpark and that is something United are unlikely to agree to, especially as he turns 30 this year.

This issue could now make a transfer to Saudi Arabia more likely, with Al Nassr having no problem paying such an amount.

According to the Daily Mirror and other media, the Saudi Arabian side have made the Manchester United superstar their primary target for the summer transfer window.

Bruno to Al-Nassr?

Al-Nassr are willing to pay over €100 million in order to sign the 29-year-old.

Bruno hit the headlines earlier this month after he admitted that he is considering his future at United at the end of the season.

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr: Goals, assists, results & fixtures

Bruno has become frustrated by the lack of progress at United, with the team enduring another disastrous season and failing to qualify for the Champions League.

“If you want me to be very honest, if I have to think about not continuing [at United], it won’t be until after the EUROs...” Bruno said on Portuguese TV.

Bruno added last week after the win against Newcastle: “I don’t want to be a player that the club doesn’t want to have. If for some reason, they don’t want to have me, I will go. But if they want me, I will stay.”

If Bruno was to join Al-Nassr he would reunite with former Man Utd teammate and Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr on a free transfer in January 2023 after his contract at United was rescinded and has since scored 62 goals in 66 games.

Ronaldo has played an active role in recruiting players to Al Nassr and the Saudi Pro League in general ever since arriving 18 months ago. He has been reported to have spoken to Bruno about moving to the club.