Man Utd leads race for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes as Arsenal talks stall

Man Utd set to beat Arsenal in race to sign £80m midfielder with talks underway

Fernandes is admired by clubs across Europe (Picture: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire) Manchester United are leading the race to sign West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes ahead of Arsenal. A midfield rebuild is underway at Old Trafford with a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta already agreed. United want to sign at least two midfielders this summer – possibly three if Manuel Ugarte leaves. Elliot Anderson has been a top target but the Nottingham Forest star favours a move to Manchester City. Forest are also looking for a British record transfer fee with United reluctant to be drawn into a bidding war. Fernandes has emerged as another target after an impressive season in east London and is expected to leave the Hammers this summer just a year on from his move from Southampton. It's finally here Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here. West Ham are looking for a fee of £80million for the Portuguese star with United increasingly confident of striking a deal. The Times now report Michael Carrick’s side have moved clear of Arsenal in the race to sign the 21-year-old. Fernandes is admired at the Emirates with Mikel Arteta keen to add to his midfield options off the back of his side’s Premier League title success. While the Gunners have been actively pursuing the player in recent weeks, they do not intend to pay West Ham’s valuation. Arsenal not prepared to meet West Ham’s valuation (Picture: Getty) Fabrizio Romano also reports talks have taken place between United officials and Fernandes’ agent, Jorge Mendes, in anticipation of an initial bid being lodged. United could face competition from elsewhere however with Jose Mourinho interested in signing him for Real Madrid, with ‘The Special One’s return to the Bernabeu confirmed on Thursday. Mourinho is also an admirer (Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire) Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with interest with reports in France claiming they have begun talks to take him to Parc des Princes. Fernandes was signed by West Ham from Southampton for £38m plus £4m in add-ons last year. Any move to Old Trafford would see him link up with countryman Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot. Reports have suggested the United captain has personally recommended his namesake to the United board as they seek to bolster their options ahead of their return to the Champions League next season. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

17 hours ago

Michael Owen urges Man Utd to sign £80m Arsenal transfer target: ‘He’s brilliant’

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen (Picture: Getty) Michael Owen urged Manchester United to press ahead with a deal for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes to bolster their options in central midfield. Fernandes appears poised to leave West Ham this summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League. The 21-year-old was signed from Southampton last summer in a deal worth £38million plus £4m in add-ons and impressed in his debut season with the Hammers. United have already looked to strengthen their options in midfield since the end of the season, with a deal in place to sign Atalanta’s Ederson for a fee of £35m. It's finally here Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here. But the Red Devils are keen to sign at least one more central midfielder, and have reportedly already held talks about bringing Fernandes to Old Trafford. The Portuguese midfielder is in high-demand, with Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid also said to be interested in a potential deal. But Owen said his former club must pull out all the stops to sign Fernandes, particularly as they already look poised to lose out to Manchester City in the race to sign Elliot Anderson. Mateus Fernandes has been linked with a move to Old Trafforrd (Picture: Getty) ‘Casemiro’s shoes are big shoes to fill aren’t they?’ Owen told Metro. ‘And you know lots of people were writing them off but he had an incredible last two-thirds of the season and big shoes to fill. ‘Personally if I was Michael Carrick if I was Manchester United, I’d be getting Fernandes from West Ham. I think he’s very good. I think he’s exactly what they need. ‘I think they’re going to probably be gazumped with Elliot Anderson from Man City, but there’s obviously plenty of names. Baleba at Brighton, there’s Scott at Bournemouth and things but if it were me I would be getting Fernandes from West Ham.’ United have already agreed a deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson (Picture: Getty) West Ham are said to be holding out for an £80 million fee for Fernandes, but Owen believes that fee could be worth every penny. ‘I thought he was brilliant last season,’ added Owen, the face of Casino.org in the UK, a leading comparison website helping Brits find online casinos that suit their preferences. ‘I watched him a lot I think he’s a very good pick. He’s reasonably young which is another massive tick. If you’re going to be spending 80 to 100 million then you don’t want to be buying someone that’s in their late 20s. ‘I could see him and Kobbie Mainoo forming a great partnership in there, and the other thing is he should be gettable. ‘West Ham have gone into the Championship and he’s not going to want to be playing in the Championship so I mean I would think that he’s very gettable and I think he’s very good. ‘I personally would be making him my first choice.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

20 hours ago