Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has turned down two offers to leave the club, it has been claimed.
The Portugal international was a vital player for Erik ten Hag and is widely expected to be named as the club's next captain following the demotion of Harry Maguire.
And Fabrizio Romano, writing on Twitter, has claimed Fernandes turned down two offers to leave Old Trafford.
"Understand Bruno Fernandes rejected more than two approaches from Saudi one month ago," he said.
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag is expected to be made captain by Erik ten Hag
"It’s only Manchester United for Bruno who’s expected to become the next permanent captain."
The Saudi Pro League has welcomed a host of big-name players over the past year or so.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the first, with the 38-year-old leaving for United for Al-Nassr after criticising the club in a bombshell interview.
Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante have moved to Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively.
Al Hilal have made a splash, enticing the likes of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly to the Middle East.
And Marcelo Brozovic, Edouard Mendy, Jota and Roberto Firmino will all be strutting their stuff in Saudi as well.
Fernandes signed a new contract with United a year ago.
And he's widely expected to be named as the club's next captain following the demotion of Maguire earlier in the week.
The England international has been captain of the Red Devils ever since January 2020, when he replaced Ashley Young.
But having struggled for regular action last season, Ten Hag has opted to make a change.
Fernandes isn't the only candidate to become United captain.
Some would like Raphael Varane to take the armband, having won every major trophy possible during his career so far.
The same can be said of Casemiro, who flourished following his move from Real Madrid last year.
And Marcus Rashford would have some backing, with the England international bagging 30 goals across all competitions.
Ten Hag will have the final decision, however, and has already stamped his authority on the squad within his first year in the dugout.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS:
Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes is expected to replace Harry Maguire as captain
PA
Meanwhile, Maguire said earlier in the week that he was honoured to have been United skipper.
And former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has expressed a belief the 30-year-old now needs to leave and pursue a new challenge elsewhere.
"Sometimes you're at a club and it's a big club like Manchester United - you don't want to leave and you're captain - but the armband being taken off you shows that you're not going to play enough football next season," he told talkSPORT.
"I think Harry Maguire should say to himself, 'You know what, I need to go and play somewhere. I've got the Euros coming, it could be my last Euros'. Go and play somewhere, but play at a level where you think you're good enough to play at.
"If I'm him, I'm going to another European league. I'm going to Italy, Spain maybe. I'm going to play regular football because Harry Maguire, for me, is a top centre-half. Just get away from the negativity that seems to follow you at Manchester United."
