Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes continues to be linked with a big-money move to Al-Hilal, with the deal set to have far-reaching implications.
The Saudi Pro League side are willing to break the British transfer record to force a move for the Man Utd playmaker over the line, while Bruno is set to be offered a lucrative contract to lure him away from Old Trafford.
Al-Hilal have attempted the move in each of the two previous summers unsuccessfully, and they appear to have their work cut out to sign the Portugal star again this time around.
While a deal for Man Utd does have tempting financial implications that would see them earn over €135 million, as outlined this week by Fabrizio Romano, the tendency is for Bruno Fernandes to remain with Ruben Amorim’s side for next season. The head coach sees him as too important a player to be allowed to leave.
As such, the Saudi outfit are eyeing up another potential Premier League superstar in place of Bruno.
Saudi target Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United is being targeted by Al-Hilal as the player who will step into the boots that Fernandes never had a chance to fill in the Saudi Pro League, according to Jorge Nicola, a respected Brazilian transfer journalist.
He explains on his YouTube channel: “I need to talk about Bruno Guimaraes. He’s the Plan B for Al-Hilal if the negotiations with Bruno Fernandes do not work.
“Manchester United’s Portuguese midfielder is slated to play in Jorge Jesus’ former team. But if the negotiations don’t happen, an attempt will be made for Bruno Guimaraes.”
This news will come as a surprise to Newcastle fans, whose Saudi owners are also in charge of Al-Hilal.
It would send a surprising message to the St James’ Park side if they were to prise the Brazilian away from their flagship Premier League side to take part in the Pro League, despite a clear desire to increase the strength and depth in their domestic game.
Bruno Guimaraes, who has three years left to run on his Newcastle deal, has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €83.2m but any deal would surely eclipse the €100m mark.
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