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Manchester United are accelerating their interest in Mateus Fernandes after the club\u2019s recruitment team delivered glowing reports on the West Ham maestro, according to a new report.<\/p>\n
Despite facing the ignominy of back-to-back relegations, Fernandes\u2018 reputation as one of the Premier League\u2019s best midfield prospects continues to grow by the week. <\/p>\n
West Ham signed the 21-year-old for \u00a342 million from Southampton last summer after the Saints finished bottom of the table in a dismal season at St Mary\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Fernandes was a rare bright spot amidst a sea of underperformance on the south coast, which led the Hammers to strike a big-money deal.<\/p>\n
Now, in an unfortunate twist, the former Sporting CP star faces the same fate with his new side, as they are locked in a dogfight with local rivals Tottenham Hotspur to avoid relegation.<\/p>\n
West Ham are currently 18th, two points behind Tottenham Hotspur and a much worse goal difference, with a daunting trip to St James\u2019 Park to face Newcastle this weekend. The momentum for survival appears to reside in north, rather than east, London.<\/p>\n
However, even if Nuno Espirito\u2019s side were to drop down to the Championship, it was believed they would demand a massive fee to let the Portugal international depart the London Stadium \u2013 potentially as high as \u00a384 million, double their initial investment.<\/p>\n
This would have presented United, on the hunt for up to three midfielders this summer, with a serious problem in terms of financing a deal while retaining sufficient funds to secure two other targets.<\/p>\n
Attacking Football<\/em> correspondent Paddy Keogh dismisses this \u00a384 million valuation as \u201cnot accurate\u201d. Instead, he claims the price will \u201cbe closer to \u00a360 million\u201d should West Ham be unable to survive, noting there is no relegation clause despite many reports suggesting there was.<\/p>\n United have held talks with Fernandes\u2019 camp to gauge interest, with the player said to be very open to a switch to Manchester. Captain and compatriot Bruno Fernandes has even recommended his namesake to the club\u2019s hierarchy.<\/p>\n Keogh reveals the analytical team at Old Trafford \u201clove\u201d the Hammers\u2019 dynamo, who is capable of playing in a variety of roles in midfield, further strengthening his reputation.<\/p>\n Chelsea and Manchester City are both understood to have also tabled enquiries, while European champions Paris Saint-Germain are also interested. The French giants\u2019 sporting director Luis Campos is always on the hunt for the best Portuguese talent, presenting a potential obstacle United will find hard to overcome.<\/p>\n Interestingly, Keogh notes United were interested in Fernandes last year, with Ruben Amorim \u2013 the manager who gave him his debut in Lisbon \u2013 said to be a huge fan of the all-action midfielder.<\/p>\n And while the 41-year-old tactician no longer resides at the Theatre of Dreams, Fernandes offers United a dream option in midfield if they can fend off interest from Europe\u2019s elite to secure his signature this summer with a \u00a360m raid on the capital. <\/p>\n Featured image Julian Finney via Getty Images<\/em><\/p>\n The Peoples Person has been one of the world\u2019s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\nFinal Thoughts<\/h5>\n