JAKARTA - Rumors of Bruno Fernandes leaving Manchester United are getting louder. The clubs of the Saudi Pro League are the most serious admirers of the Portuguese midfielder.
The Portuguese, whose contract with Manchester United expires in June 2027, turned down an attractive offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal last summer.
However, Saudi clubs have yet to give up on getting his signature for the upcoming transfer window.
With his future at Old Trafford still up in the air, Fernandes recently said he would prefer to play in Spain or Italy after leaving Manchester United.
In a two-part interview with Portuguese television station Canal 11, he explained how the rumors of his departure arose. Fernandes said the Red Devils wanted him to join Al Hilal.
However, in the second part which aired on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, he said he wanted to stay at Old Trafford.
"I always say that I want to stay somewhere as long as I am still wanted. When I feel that I am not 100 percent wanted, then I will talk to the club and say that I want to leave."
"I want to try the Spanish league (LaLiga) because I have never played in Spain. I want to play for one of the clubs in Italy (Serie A) that competes for big goals such as league titles, especially because I really enjoy living in Italy," he said as reported by ESPN.
The 31-year-old is close to the Italian club. He started his football career in Italy, where he played for Novara, Udinese, and Sampdoria before joining Portuguese club Sporting CP in 2017.
"I have a lot of ties with the country (Italy). My daughter was born there and she keeps saying that she wants to learn Italian."
"If I can make it happen and play for a club in Italy that has big goals and fights for the chance to win titles, it's an idea I like," the Manchester United captain said.
Even so, Fernandes has not ruled out the possibility of playing again in his home country. Sporting - the club he left to join Manchester United in a £68 million transfer in January 2020 - is clearly a priority destination.
"I have thought about returning to Portugal. Returning to a place where you were once happy can tarnish the image you have left. Because of love and respect, my first choice is Sporting."
"However, I don't want to ruin the beautiful image I have. In fact, for family reasons, I want to return to Portugal."
"I don't want to go there just because of what I have done, but because I can make a contribution," he said.
Meanwhile, Fernandes further revealed his goal to have a long playing career.
"I want to extend my career as long as possible. I don't mind playing in the lower leagues. I want to enjoy playing football," he said.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
