Fernandes Declines Al Hilal Offer, Decides Old Trafford Stay

Manchester United striker Bruno Fernandes turned down Saudi Al Hilal's offer and decided to stay with Manchester United.

Al Hilal are exploring a deal for the Portugal midfielder as they looked to make the signing before the FIFA Club World Cup, but Fernandes said at Portugal's conference on Tuesday that he wanted to stay at the highest level and play in "big competitions."

Fernandes said in the press conference: "I will respond and ask that you not ask me about this anymore," adding: "There was that possibility, the president of Al Hilal called me a month ago to ask me about it. I took some time to think about the future. As I have always said, I would be willing, if Man United thought so. I spoke to coach Ruben Amorim, who, throughout this period, urged me not to go.

"The club [United] said they would not be willing to sell me, only if I wanted to leave, that it was not a financial issue. It was a very ambitious proposal."

According to ESPN sources familiar with negotiations, Al Hilal would pay around £100 million ($135m) for Fernandes and put together a package that would have significantly increased his salary.

The Portagues star, the 30-year-old decided stay at Old Trafford, where he is under contract until 2027.

"The president was a spectacular person, we never talked about money [initially]," Fernandes added.