Erik ten Hag confident Bruno Fernandes will stay at Manchester United as transfer talk ramps up
Erik ten Hag says he is confident Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will stay at the club this summer.
The 29-year-old, who moved to Old Trafford from Sporting CP in January 2020, is a target for clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Standard Sport understands the centrally-run Saudi Pro League have targeted a number of United players ahead of another round of heavy investment this summer.
Raphel Varane is believed to be of interest and the defender has already confirmed he will be leaving Old Trafford upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the season.
Casemiro is another target in Saudi Arabia amid a sharp decline in his performances this season but the Brazilian still has two years to run on the reported £300k-per-week deal he signed in 2022.
Bayern Munich have also been touted as potential landing spot for Fernandes, who remains United’s star player under Ten Hag.
Asked about the captain’s future on Tuesday, Ten Hag told reporters: “It is the same question as last week. So I answered.
“The same answer. Now in all the years he was, he was a tremendously important player for Manchester United and creating the most chances across the Premier League. So many assists, so many goals. It’s clear he’s a very important player for us.”
Saudi Arabian clubs are also targeting moves for Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea respectively.
Salah is said to be open to the move but may wait until 2025, though De Bruyne is expected to turn down the interest.
