- Man Utd eye Mateus Fernandes
- Red Devils want to pay half of West Ham’s asking price
- Portuguese midfielder prioritising Old Trafford
Manchester United are reportedly looking to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes for half of his club’s valuation. The Red Devils want to revamp their midfield by bringing in as many as three new midfielders.
While big-money targets like Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson have been mooted, United are cautious about their budget. According to a report by The Times, Fernandes is wanted by the club but they face competition from rivals Arsenal and European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
While the Hammers initially slapped a massive £80 million price tag on the Portuguese starlet, their recent relegation to the Championship has wrecked their leverage. United are looking test their resolve.
Man Utd stance over Mateus Fernandes
West Ham find themselves in a desperate situation. Relegation means they must offload high-earning players to balance the books and comply with financial regulations. They are publicly holding out for £80m for Fernandes but that stance should change.
United want to land the player for a fee closer to the £40 million mark. The Reds are currently trying to close a £35 million deal for Atalanta’s Éderson, signalling a clear shift away from overpaying for talent.
Applying that same logic to Fernandes is exactly how United should proceed. If they manage to sign the Portuguese midfielder for virtually what West Ham paid for him, it minimises risk and preserves budget for other areas.
Talks between the player and the club have reportedly accelerated despite Arsenal and PSG waiting in the wings. He is said to be prioritising a move to Old Trafford.
A gem for Carrick
Fernandes, who Nuno Espirito Santo called “fantastic”, has been a shining light in an otherwise miserable season at the London Stadium. Having joined West Ham from Southampton last summer for £38 million plus add-ons, the youngster thrived, making 36 appearances and proving his impressive technical quality.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are reportedly keen on him because of his positional fluidity, and it’s easy to see why Michael Carrick wants him. He’d be an ideal addition to a midfield that needs plenty of bolstering this summer.
