Manchester United’s hopes of striking a deal for Mateus Fernandes have increased as an exit from West Ham will happen on one condition, according to a transfer expert.
Midfield Rebuild
The Red Devils are planning to direct the majority of their summer war chest towards rebuilding their midfield. Casemiro‘s time in M16 is coming to an end as his contract will expire in May, while the continued struggles of Manuel Ugarte mean INEOS are now actively looking to replace the 25-year-old Uruguayan.
This leaves Kobbie Mainoo, who scored the winner against Liverpool on Sunday after signing a new five-year contract last week, as the sole option in the engine room with a guaranteed future at the club.
Accordingly, at least two – but potentially three if a buyer can be found for Ugarte – midfielders are expected to arrive at Old Trafford in a defining window for the hierarchy.
The primary target is Elliot Anderson, though Manchester City are considered frontrunners for the Nottingham Forest powerhouse. Sandro Tonali, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton also feature highly on the radar.
But Fernandes, West Ham’s 21-year-old box-to-box dynamo, is quickly emerging as a highly rated alternative, with his compatriot and namesake, Bruno, understood to be a huge fan of the youngster. A report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed the Hammers see the former Sporting Clube de Portugal star as a “cornerstone” of their project, and would refuse to sell even if they are relegated from the Premier League.
Big-Money Exit is Expected
Ben Jacobs claims this resolute stance is not true, however, with Fernandes “expected” to depart should his side be unable to survive the drop.
“As reported last month, Mateus Fernandes is on Manchester United’s list of midfield options. [He is] expected to be sold if West Ham go down,” the talkSPORT reporter states.
This is a major boost for United as last weekend’s fixtures shifted the balance in favour of Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham’s main relegation rival, after the north London side beat Aston Villa 2-1. Meanwhile, Fernandes could do little to help Nuno Espirito Santo’s men avoid a chastening 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford, leaving them in the bottom three, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur with a worse goal difference and a clash with table toppers Arsenal on Sunday.
West Ham signed the Portugal international for £40 million from Southampton last summer after the Saints faced their own descent into the Championship.
If able to avoid a similar fate, the fee they could command for their prized asset would be far in excess of this outlay. But if, as looks increasingly likely, they cannot, their negotiating position will be torpedoed – and so too will his price.
Final Thoughts
Fernandes is a jack-of-all-trades midfielder, capable of playing in a variety of roles in the centre of the pitch. He pairs this versatility with excellent technique and a level of physicality that has allowed him to thrive in English football in a way Ugarte cannot.
While fans at the London Stadium will be devastated to see their side finish in the bottom three, it will be music to the ears of the executive branch at Old Trafford as United look to add more energy and quality to their stalling engine room.
Featured image Julian Finney via Getty Images
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