- Manchester United has registered a serious interest in Mateus Fernandes
- West Ham United have placed an £80 million fee on Fernandes
- The Hammers are dubious the Old Trafford club will meet their price tag
Manchester United’s rising interest in Mateus Fernandes is shaping up to be one of West Ham United’s most significant summer stories.
The Portuguese midfielder emerged as one of the few bright spots in a bleak season that ended in Premier League relegation, but his performances have kept him on the radar of some of Europe’s premier teams.
Man Utd are the main team leading the chase for Fernandes. According to reports, Old Trafford authorities have ramped up conversations as Michael Carrick continues to reshape his midfield options ahead of the new season. Fernandes has long been respected by United’s recruiting department, and their interest has only grown since West Ham’s drop to the Championship.
For West Ham, however, the negotiations are far from simple.
West Ham ‘dubious’ Manchester United can afford £80m Mateus Fernandes
West Ham’s hierarchy are adamant about not letting one of its most valuable assets depart on the cheap. Despite the financial turmoil that often accompanies relegation, the Hammers reportedly value Fernandes at more than £80 million.
The 21-year-old was signed from Southampton last summer in a deal worth £38m plus £4m in add-ons, and West Ham, who require £150 million from player sales, are seeking double their transaction on a player with four years left on his contract.
The BBC’s Man Utd correspondent Simon Stone states that West Ham are ‘dubious’ about United completing a deal for Fernandes at the quoted price after agreeing to a £35 million deal for Atalanta’s Ederson.
“There has been no formal offer, and sources at the relegated London outfit are dubious United would be willing to pay the kind of sums they would be prepared to sell for,” said Stone. However, the journalist has also admitted he “would be surprised if the deal for Mateus Fernandes didn’t get done.”
Why West Ham must stand strong on Fernandes’ price tag
As stated, West Ham’s newfound status as a Championship club means they will seek to relieve their financial situation via player sales. Fernandes, nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season, represents a significant sale that would go a long way in helping the club’s precarious situation.
It’s unlikely that any sale for Fernandes will reach the £105 million fee Arsenal paid for Declan Rice, which made the midfielder the most expensive British player ever. The Gunners are also interested, alongside fellow Champions League finalist Paris Saint-Germain, which could spark a bidding war for Fernandes.
Despite being a team in the second tier, the sale of Fernandes could very well indicate whether West Ham are serious about regaining their position in the country’s top flight.
