Bruno Fernandes transfer bombshell after 'private meeting' over Man Utd exit

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is reportedly being chased by Saudi Pro Leagueside Al-Ittihad, with a meeting between the two camps already taking place.

Fernandes was pursued by Saudi club Al-Hilal earlier this summer and the Portuguese playmaker looked likely to join them until he performed a huge U-turn and opted to stay at Old Trafford.

There is only about a week until the summer transfer window closes and Al-Ittihad are now trying their luck for the 30-year-old in a last-gasp attempt, according to the Sun.

The meeting between Al-Itthiad and Fernandes is said to have been "positive", the report says, and the Middle East outfit are "very keen" to secure his signature.

During the discussions, Fernandes is said to have asked Al-Ittihad for an eye-watering contract worth around £33million a year.

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The reported sum Al-Hilal were offering Fernandes was around £66m a year, which would work out as £1.3m a week, making the total package around £200m for his entire contract.

Fernandes is seen as central to United's re-building project, but the club are in desperate need of balancing the books after splashing out £72m on Benjamin Sesko, £71m on Bryan Mbeumo and around £62m on Matheus Cunha. Young left-back Diego Leon also arrived for £7m.

So far United don't have any confirmed outgoings from permanent transfers. They did loan Marcus Rashford out to Barcelona, who will pay the entirety of his salary at the Nou Camp, while Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all left on free transfers.

But United may be tempted to clear a player off their wage bill who earns a reported £300,000-a-week at the club.

Fernandes himself said earlier this summer he could leave the club if they ever wanted to cash in on him - but otherwise would stay until he was told otherwise.

"I have always been honest," he said. "I've always said I will be here until the club says to me that it's time to go. I'm eager to do more, to be able to bring the club the great days. In the day that the club thinks that I'm too much or it's time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it."

Fernandes also stressed his desire to continue playing at the highest level, adding: "I want to play major competitions. I know I still can and I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most.

"For better or worse, this is how I see football and I'm passionate about football and this is the decision I've made."

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