Manchester United have moved ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with the Red Devils now in prime position to secure a deal for the Portuguese international. The 23-year-old has been identified as a priority target by manager Michael Carrick, who is looking to bolster his midfield options ahead of the new season.
United Confident of Securing Deal
According to reports, United are 'increasingly confident' of signing Fernandes for a fee of up to £80 million, despite interest from other Premier League clubs. Arsenal had been monitoring the player but are reluctant to meet West Ham's valuation. The Hammers, who were relegated to the Championship, are under pressure to sell in order to comply with Profit and Sustainability rules, though it remains unclear whether they need to cash in before the end of this month.
West Ham signed Fernandes from Southampton for £38 million last summer, and any sale would represent a significant profit. In his likely only season with the club, he scored five goals and provided four assists.
Midfield Rebuild at Old Trafford
Should United complete the signing, Fernandes would be the first piece of a major midfield overhaul at Old Trafford. Casemiro has already left the club, while Manuel Ugarte is expected to follow him out the door. Brazilian midfielder Ederson is also set to join from Atalanta after United agreed a deal. Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson was another target, but Manchester City remain favorites to sign him despite some recent doubts. City have already had two bids rejected for Anderson and may walk away rather than enter a bidding war.
Former United coach Renee Meulensteen has urged the club to strengthen their midfield. He said: 'United need to sign at least two, if not three midfielders this transfer window. That's the position where they have to really, really strengthen, especially with more competitions coming up.'
Meulensteen added: 'Now, that could be Ederson or Anderson. They've got similar qualities, but Anderson comes with a massive price tag, which makes you really question whether or not they can realistically go for him. I don't think Man United will pay that for Anderson. I think they do have funds, but to spend so much money on one player, it would be a big shout.'
He also suggested an alternative: 'I always like good, technical footballers in the midfield. I've liked Adam Wharton for United for a while now, because he is so good on the ball, very calm under pressure. He finds any of those front five with one decisive pass, and he rips the opposition right open, and I love that.'
