Bruno Fernandes has turned down a whopping £200million offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, with his wife Ana Pinho playing a crucial role in his decision to remain at Manchester United.
The Portuguese midfielder revealed that Pinho helped him focus on his professional priorities when considering the lucrative move to the Middle East.
Speaking whilst on international duty, the 30-year-old confirmed he had received a direct approach from Al-Hilal's president approximately one month ago.
Despite Manchester United's dismal season, which saw them finish 15th in the Premier League and suffer defeat in the Europa League final, Fernandes has chosen to continue his career in European football at the highest level.
Bruno Fernandes revealed his wife help him focus on his priorities
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The Saudi Pro League champions had prepared a three-year contract for the midfielder, with reports indicating they were prepared to submit a bid of approximately £100m to secure his services.
The total package would have reached £200m, representing one of the most substantial offers in football history for a player of Fernandes' age.
"There was that possibility, the president of Al Hilal called me a month ago to ask," Fernandes confirmed. "There was a waiting period on my part to think about what the future would hold."
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The United captain acknowledged he would have been open to the move had Manchester United indicated it was time for him to depart.
He spent considerable time deliberating over the proposal before ultimately deciding to reject the Saudi giants' advances.
Fernandes revealed that his wife's intervention proved decisive in his choice to reject the Saudi offer. "It was actually my wife who asked me I never said yes or no. She put my professional priorities ahead of everything else," he explained.
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Bruno Fernandes is now a Manchester United staple Reuters The midfielder, who has been married to Pinho since 2015, emphasised that the move would have been straightforward given his friendships with Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo at Al-Hilal.
"But I want to stay at the highest level, play in big competitions, because I still feel capable. I want to keep being happy, I'm still very passionate about this sport, and I'm happy with my decision," Fernandes stated.
He also disclosed that new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim attempted to dissuade him from accepting the Saudi proposal during their discussions.
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Fernandes' commitment to remaining at Old Trafford comes despite Manchester United's catastrophic campaign, which culminated in a 15th-place finish and defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
That loss cost the club approximately £100m in Champions League revenue, intensifying their financial pressures.
United sources have consistently maintained they do not wish to sell their captain, with Amorim viewing him as central to his rebuilding plans.
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ReutersThe manager reportedly intends to raise funds through the sales of other players, including Antony, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho.
Fernandes' recent social media activity and appearance at Cancelo's birthday celebration had fuelled speculation about his future, but his rejection of Al-Hilal's offer demonstrates his commitment to competing at Europe's elite level.
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