- Man Utd want to sign Mateus Fernandes
- West Ham demanding huge fee
- Red Devils conducting midfield overhaul
Manchester United’s hopes of landing top midfield target Mateus Fernandes have been dealt a massive blow following West Ham United’s firm stance on his valuation.
According to a report from The Athletic, the Hammers have slapped a staggering £80 million ($108m) price tag on the 21-year-old Portugal international.
United have been heavily linked with the highly rated midfielder and have already held initial talks over a potential fee and personal terms. However, this astronomical asking price represents the absolute worst-case scenario for the Red Devils’ recruitment team, who were likely hoping to capitalise on West Ham’s recent relegation.
Hefty price for Fernandes
West Ham find themselves needing to raise £150 million this summer after their drop from the Premier League. Fernandes, who only joined the East London club last summer from Southampton in a £38 million deal, has emerged as one of their most valuable and saleable assets.
To complicate matters further for United, Southampton cleverly negotiated a 15% sell-on fee when they sold Fernandes to West Ham. This means a chunk of any final fee will head straight back to the Saints, pushing West Ham to hold out for every penny of that £80 million demand.
While Manchester United are firmly in the race, they aren’t alone. European giants Paris Saint-Germain are also credited with a strong interest in the young midfielder.
Difficult pursuit
For United, matching an £80 million valuation for a single player poses a massive challenge. With tight Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) constraints still hanging over Old Trafford, spending over half of a typical summer budget on one midfielder could severely restrict their ability to strengthen other weak areas of the squad.
While West Ham are yet to receive any official formal approaches for the midfielder, their financial demands have instantly complicated what United hoped would be a swift negotiation. If the Red Devils want their man, they will have to pay a premium they simply cannot afford right now.
