Wednesday’s briefing: Bruno Fernandes says no to Saudi and Fran Kirby retires

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes confirmed he has rejected a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.

England’s hopes of Women’s Nations League glory were dashed by world champions Spain in their Group A3 decider while Euro 2022 winner Fran Kirby announced she was retiring from international football.

Caoimhin Kelleher completed his move from Liverpool to Brentford in the hunt for regular first-team action.

Not Fer sale

Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has confirmed he turned down a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia because he wants to “stay at the highest level”.

The 30-year-old midfielder has been the subject of speculation linking him with a £100million switch to Al Hilal, with the Saudi Pro League side reportedly prepared to pay him £700,000 per week, but he rejected the opportunity after speaking to head coach Ruben Amorim and his family.

Fernandes said: “I simply want to stay at the highest level, playing in the big competitions, because I still feel capable of that.

“I want to continue to be happy and do what I love most. I’m still very passionate about this sport. It’s my way of seeing football and I’m happy with my decision.”

Lionesses miss out

England missed out on a place in the Women’s Nations League finals after Claudia Pina’s brace earned Spain a 2-1 comeback win in Barcelona.

Alessia Russo put England ahead on her 50th international appearance.

But substitute Pina spearheaded the comeback for the world champions, finding an equaliser only moments after being brought on before adding a second 10 minutes later.

Defeat meant England finished second in Group A3, while top-of-the-table Spain secured their spot in October’s semi-finals.

Kirby calls it a day

England midfielder Fran Kirby has announced her retirement from international football on the eve of the Euro 2025 finals.

The 31-year-old, a veteran of the Lionesses’ victorious European Championship campaign in 2022, has brought an end to her international career after 77 caps and 19 goals.

Brighton’s Kirby wrote on social media: “After being in the England team since I was 21, it’s time to close that chapter of my life.

“I didn’t ever want this day to come, but I cannot tell you how proud I am it happened. It’s been the biggest honour to represent my country, one that I had only dreamt about as a young girl.”

Special K is a Bee

Brentford completed the signing of Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool in an £18million deal having seen Mark Flekken join Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

Kelleher made 20 appearances last season – largely in two spells when Alisson Becker was injured – and collected a Premier League winners’ medal to go with his two Carabao Cup successes, but wanted more first-team football.

The 26-year-old told the club’s official website: “I felt for my own career that the time was right for me to go, to be a number one and to play every week.”

What’s on today?

Germany and Portugal go head-to-head in the first Nations League semi-final with either Spain or France awaiting the winners.

Meanwhile the early transfer window rumbles on, with Tottenham’s Son Heung-Min the latest player said to be attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo linked with a move to Manchester United, Cesc Fabregas reportedly in line for the vacant Inter Milan job and AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan a rumoured target for Chelsea.