Bruno Fernandes has named the club he would love to play for amid renewed speculation he could leave Manchester United for the Saudi Pro League.
The United captain has had to deal with speculation surrounding his future for months after Al Hilal attempted to sign him last summer in a £100million transfer.
And despite rejecting a contract worth around £1m-a-week, Fernandes continues to be linked with a move to the Middle East, with some believing Ruben Amorim should cash-in on the attacking midfielder.
After their stunning win at Liverpool last week, the Red Devils take on Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, with Fernandes set to make his 300th appearance for the club.
Speaking ahead of the milestone game, the 31-year-old has reiterated his commitment to United, saying he did not wish to leave Old Trafford until he had lifted major silverware.
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But the Portugal international did say there was one team close to his heart that he would love to sign for if the opportunity arose and if he was ready to depart Manchester.
‘If I had a chance to go to play again in Portugal, I would always put Sporting in front of everyone to get the chance to play for them again,’ he said.
‘But we feel like home here also. Many times, speaking with my family, we say sometimes the house we have here, it feels more like home than the one we have in Portugal.
‘Everyone knows my aim is to win the Premier League and the Champions League [with United]. If I’m going to do it or not, I’m not going to be able to tell you.
‘The first question when I spoke to my wife [in the summer] and I said, “look, we have this offer from Saudi,” the first thing she said was, “have you achieved everything you wanted to achieve at the club?” Because she knows that I haven’t.
‘And when I talk about I haven’t fulfilled my dreams at the club, it comes a lot from what she said to me. And obviously, I’m not sure, she’s not sure I’m going to make it. But if I don’t try it, that’s for sure I won’t make it.’
Fernandes left Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 to join United for £47m – unquestionably, the best signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The skipper added that he is unaware of any renewed transfer interest from Saudi, saying Al Hilal were not impressed that he turned them down.
Bruno Fernandes Man Utd stats
Appearances: 299
Goals: 100
Assists: 87
Trophies: FA Cup (2024), League Cup (2023)
‘At the moment, no one spoke with me about anything. If someone told me, “in the summer, look, we’ll come again.” No one told that to me.
‘I don’t think they were very happy for me to reject the offer. I accept that because the offer was very good in terms of salary. Everything was massive for me. It was a huge difference.
‘Obviously I can’t talk for the club. I’ve seen a lot of news. I’ve seen a lot of people talking that I had an agreement to go already next season. If the club has done that agreement, it wasn’t made with me.
‘I haven’t spoken with anyone. My agent also knows how I work, so if he wants to talk to me, it will be after the World Cup. Because until then, I won’t speak to anyone.’
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