Bruno Fernandes has endorsed Manchester United's move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to reports. United have already held talks over a deal to sign the 21-year-old this summer and are now preparing to submit a formal offer to the Championship club.
Fernandes attracting interest after West Ham relegation
Mateus Fernandes, who joined West Ham from Southampton last summer in a deal worth £38 million plus £4m in add-ons, has attracted interest from several top clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain following West Ham's relegation from the Premier League last season. The Portuguese midfielder was one of West Ham's standout performers, and the club is holding out for an £80 million transfer fee.
United lead Arsenal in race for Fernandes
According to The Telegraph, United have 'moved ahead' of Arsenal in their bid to sign Fernandes, as the Premier League champions are reluctant to meet West Ham's £80m valuation. The report adds that United captain Bruno Fernandes supports the club's push to sign his compatriot and has 'spoken highly' of the West Ham midfielder.
Speaking in March, Mateus Fernandes spoke about the impact Bruno Fernandes had on his career when they were both at Sporting CP. When asked to name his midfield role model, Mateus Fernandes said: 'Perhaps the biggest reference is Bruno because of the player he is. It's not just now, back in my Sporting days he was someone I looked up to and tried to learn from. He plays in the same league as me. He's currently one of the players with the most international caps for the national team, with a lot of experience, also at the Premier League level. So, I look up to him a lot. Any midfielder on the national team is also an example for me; they all have a lot of quality, but without a doubt, Bruno stands out among the midfielders here.'
Real Madrid and PSG also interested
United also face competition from Real Madrid, who have appointed Jose Mourinho as their new head coach after Florentino Perez was re-elected as the club's president last Sunday. Reports in Spain this week have claimed that Madrid are working on a deal to sign Fernandes after Mourinho made the midfielder one of his priority signings. Meanwhile, PSG are also said to have been in talks with West Ham over a double deal involving Fernandes and Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville.
