Stefan Borson drops ‘£100m’ Bruno Fernandes exit verdict after Saudi swoop
Bruno Fernandes won’t leave Manchester United in a £100million deal for Saudi Arabia next summer.
Fernandes rejected a mega-money move to Al-Hilal earlier this summer after emerging as a top target for the Saudi Pro League side.
The Portugal international decided to remain with Ruben Amorim’s side as he looks to help them improve on their 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season.
However, Fernandes is reportedly open to leaving next summer, with Saudi Arabia, the US or another one of Europe’s top leagues believed to be a possibility for the Man United captain.
Fernandes, who turns 31 next week, is under contract at Old Trafford until June 2026.
Bruno Fernandes unlikely to be offered ‘crazy’ deal
This article contains exclusive comment from Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to Man City.
Man United secured their first victory of the campaign against Burnley on Saturday (30 August).
Fernandes’s injury-time penalty earned his side a 3-2 win and all three points despite the speculation surrounding the midfielder’s long-term future at Old Trafford.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “I’m very sceptical about any deal being talked about for happening in a year’s time at some crazy fee.
“First of all, the fees Saudi Arabia have paid have generally not been anywhere near as kind of excessive as has been touted in the media.
“A lot of the fees have been actually relatively sensible. Now, I don’t know what they’re paying on the player side, it’s very hard to have any sort of view.
“I definitely don’t think they’re paying what’s been touted again. But I don’t think the fees have been anywhere near what would have been suggested.
“If he is discussing a potential deal in the future, it won’t be anywhere near the sorts of numbers that are being suggested.
“He’s not going at 32 to get a £100million deal next summer, if that’s what the suggestion is.”
West Ham offered Andre Onana
In terms of another potential exit, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 29 August West Ham have been offered Andre Onana on loan.
The Hammers have been told they can sign the 29-year-old if Man United are able to bring in a new goalkeeper before the transfer window closes at 7pm on Monday (1 September).
Onana’s only appearance of the campaign came in the penalty shoot-out defeat against Grimsby Town last week.
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