Bruno Fernandes To Saudi Twist: Al Ittihad Lead Chase As Ronaldo Call Tempts Al Nassr While Al Hilal Cool Interest

Transfer insider Ben Jacobs says the picture around Bruno Fernandes and Saudi Arabia has shifted. The headline is simple. Al Hilal are not expected to push next year. Al Ittihad are now viewed as the frontrunners, while Al Nassr remain in the mix. Multiple reports suggest that Al Hilal have cooled their pursuit, and that Al Ittihad and Al Nassr are the two to watch if anything develops in the next window cycle. 

There is another layer to this story. Cristiano Ronaldo has had direct contact with Fernandes about the possibility of a reunion in Riyadh. That detail has been reported in coverage of Jacobs’ briefings and follow-ups, which describe the approach as informal but genuine interest from Al Nassr’s side. 

This does not mean a move is imminent. The timing, Manchester United’s stance, and the player’s own priorities all matter. The current market landscape suggests a drawn-out courtship rather than a swift bid. Even the most bullish Saudi interest is running into what United wants and what Fernandes wants for the prime years that remain. 

Where Manchester United Stand

United have set expectations around any future talks. Reporting over the last 48 hours indicates a price point of more than £60 million for next summer. That figure is being briefed to Saudi suitors and is consistent across several outlets. A January move would cost even more, given the usual mid-season premium. 

Contract control strengthens United’s hand. Fernandes is tied to Old Trafford through 2027, with an option that can extend the deal. That runway reduces the pressure to sell and ensures United can demand a premium if the captain ever decides to go. 

Rúben Amorim’s project also factors into the equation. Coverage this week framed United’s internal view as calm in the face of interest. The manager still leans on Fernandes for leadership and chance creation even as roles evolve. The club acknowledges that offers may arrive again from Saudi Arabia; however, the default position is to protect the core until the rebuild shows clear results. 

Why Al Hilal May Step Aside While Rivals Push

There are good football reasons why Al Hilal could step back while Al Ittihad and Al Nassr lean in. The Saudi Pro League has firm roster rules that shape recruitment. 

Clubs can register up to ten foreign players, with eight of any age and two younger selections, while only eight foreign players can be named on league matchdays. This creates real trade-offs in squad building, particularly for teams that already stock elite attackers and creators. 

Strategically, the PIF-backed Big Four are no longer simply hoarding names. The trend since the initial splash is toward balanced team building. 

Investment continues, yet directors have become more selective about profiles that solve specific problems. That shift makes it plausible that Al Hilal, already loaded in creative zones, looks elsewhere while Al Ittihad and Al Nassr see Fernandes as a clearer fit. 

Al Ittihad’s interest lines up with their need for a high-volume chance creator who also brings standards in pressing and set-piece quality. 

Reports through late summer and into this week have consistently linked the Jeddah club with concrete approaches to the player’s camp. The message from that side is persistence rather than a one-off enquiry. 

Al Nassr’s angle is different. Cristiano Ronaldo remains the face of the league and has a significant influence on squad planning in Riyadh. The appeal of a familiar on-pitch partner is obvious. The club has already shown a willingness to back star-led targets with serious offers. That context makes a future push for Fernandes logical if the price and timing align. 

What This Saga Means For Bruno Fernandes And United

The most important constant is the player’s current position. Fernandes has repeatedly signalled a preference to compete in Europe, while he believes he can still decide big matches at the top level. 

Fresh reporting today again stresses his focus on United and on European football, rather than an immediate switch. The contract to 2027 supports that stance and keeps every option on the table for a later decision. 

From a sporting perspective, Fernandes remains United’s central problem solver. He leads the press, connects midfield to attack, and carries a heavy share of creative actions and set plays. Removing that from Amorim’s structure would force a major redesign. 

It would also shift responsibility onto younger profiles sooner than planned. That is why United have planted a high valuation and a firm not for sale tone mid-season. 

Final Thoughts

Saudi interest will not go away. The league’s financial muscle is real, roster rules still leave room for a marquee creator, and both Al Ittihad and Al Nassr can present a strong sporting project in a competition that continues to raise its level. Ronaldo’s presence at Al Nassr adds a personal pull that very few clubs can match. The long game is alive even if the next window comes too soon. 

The likely next beats are straightforward. Saudi clubs will keep lines open with the player’s representatives. United will hold the price line while gauging the market for replacements. 

Any change in stance from Al Hilal would only come if a foreign slot opens and their internal scouting says Fernandes is the finishing piece. As of today, the expectation is that Al Hilal focus elsewhere, Al Ittihad press on, and Al Nassr keep tapping the Ronaldo connection. 

For now, the captain stays where he is. The club needs him, the manager backs him, and the reported Saudi numbers only come into play if every side sees the same value at the same time. That is a high bar, considering the long contract and core role at one of the world’s biggest clubs. The noise will roll on through the winter. The substance will come only if United’s season drifts or if a bid clears a line that insiders have already drawn.