- Man Utd eyeing Mateus Fernandes
- West Ham need to raise over £100m
- Portuguese star could be one of three new midfielders
Manchester United have been handed another boost in their potential pursuit of West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder is one name on an ever-growing shortlist of midfield targets.
According to Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, West Ham will have to raise £100m if they are relegated. It looks bleak for Nuno Espirito Santo’s Hammers after they suffered a 3-1 loss to Newcastle United on Sunday.
The London outfit are falling into a financial crisis that will be compounded if they are indeed sent packing to the EFL Championship. Big sales will be required regardless of whether they remain in the top flight.
Man Utd get Fernandes boost
Steinberg claims that West Ham will be under pressure to raise over £100m after reporting a £104.2m loss in their last set of accounts.
Fernandes’ future has been the subject of speculation throughout the second half of the season. The 21-year-old only joined the Hammers from Southampton last summer for £38m.
It is noted that Manchester United, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain all hold an interest in the Portugal international. With his club now in desperate need of cash, that gives INEOS even more reason to try and swoop for him this summer.
Ben Jacobs claimed last week that Fernandes could cost around £60-70m. But given the Irons’ troublesome situation, you’d expect relegation to mean a cut-price fee is considered.
Fernandes has enjoyed a fine season at the London Stadium, posting four goals and three assists in 37 games across competitions. He boasts an energetic profile and is earning plaudits for his consistency and potential.
A no-brainer
United don’t need to make Fernandes their Casemiro replacement, but they need to sign him. Ideally, three new midfielders arrive at the club this summer to ensure Michael Carrick has enough depth next season.
Possibly paying a reasonable price for the Portuguese midfielder, below the £60-70m ballpark, could be a real coup. It allows INEOS to spend big on a more suitable Casemiro heir such as Aurelien Tchouameni, Carlos Baleba or Elliot Anderson.
The club can then swoop for a third midfielder who is viewed as a squad member rather than a player who regularly pushes for a start. Southampton’s Shea Charles is liked, and he’s a player whom Jason Wilcox knows well.
