- Man Utd joined by PSG in race for Mateus Fernandes
- West Ham expect to sell
- Portuguese could be one of three midfield signings
Manchester United are reportedly now facing competition from Paris Saint-Germain for West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes. The Portuguese star has been on the Reds’ shortlist ahead of a midfield overhaul.
The Athletic reports that PSG are now showing interest in Fernandes who is expected to be sold this summer. The Hammers man is headed for the exit door even if the club remain in the Premier League.
Fernandes has caught the eye with impressive performances for the East London outfit this season. He’s featured 40 times across competitions, posting five goals and four assists.
PSG Join Man Utd in Mateus Fernandes Race
United’s interest in Fernandes is well-documented and recent reports claim that the club have held talks with the player. He only joined West Ham from Southampton last summer for £38m.
PSG joining the queue for the 21-year-old is a setback given the riches of the French giants. They have already had joy signing Portuguese midfielders, including Joao Neves, who replaced Manuel Ugarte at the Parc des Princes.
| Mateus Fernandes | Premier League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Total |
| Appearances | 33 | 2 | 1 | 36 |
| Minutes Played | 2,721 | 210 | 70 | 3,001 |
| Goals | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Assists | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 8 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Pass Accuracy | 87% | 91% | 85% | ~88% |
There’s no word on Fernandes’ preference, although he has previously revealed his admiration for United captain Bruno Fernandes. He’s proven to be an excellent signing for the Irons and does have Premier League experience.
Man Utd Need to Pull Off Another Cunha
United were in a similar situation last summer when addressing their frontline issues. They eyed Matheus Cunha, who had interest from other clubs, including Arsenal and Newcastle United.
The Reds made the most of his £72.5m release clause in his contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers, triggering it at the very start of the transfer window. That ensured the situation didn’t evolve into a lengthy saga, much like the Bryan Mbeumo pursuit.
Should United want to sign Fernandes, they need to get a deal sorted quickly and make the most of West Ham’s difficult situation. Sealing his signature early then allows INEOS to further strengthen with a high-profile name such as Aurelien Tchouameni or Elliot Anderson.
Three new midfielders are thought to be planned, and Fernandes would be a superb start. He wouldn’t be Casemiro’s replacement given his contrasting profile, but his age and versatility make him an extremely enticing option.
