Mateus Fernandes keen to leave West Ham with United ready to pounce | OneFootball

Manchester United are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements, with multiple current first-team stars set to leave in the summer.

Casemiro has already announced that he will be departing upon the conclusion of his contract. At the same time, INEOS are keen to offload Manuel Ugarte after a disappointing two-year stint at Old Trafford.

A defensive midfielder capable of shielding the backline while also being comfortable playing line-breaking passes is the ideal profile, with the co-owners looking at Premier League-proven options.

Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, and Sandro Tonali are among the top targets, but the Red Devils need two midfielders, and signing two from the aforementioned list is unlikely given the costs involved.

United are admirers of Mateus Fernandes

This is why the 20-time English league champions are expected to sign one big-name target and pair him with a low-risk signing, and recent reports have suggested West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes fits the bill.

With the Hammers languishing in 18th spot, and looking primed to get relegated, the Portugal U21 international is keen to jump ship in the summer, as per Talksport.

And United are his most serious admirers, and have scouted him multiple times in the recent past. Signed for £42 million from Southampton, the London side might not be in a position to ask for a huge fee if they go down, the perfect scenario for United.

“Mateus Fernandes will seek to leave West Ham if they are relegated. Fernandes only joined the Hammers from Southampton last summer in a deal worth £42m and has been one of their standout performers.

Mateus Fernandes keen to leave Hammers

“But the Portuguese midfielder would not want to play in the Championship and has admirers in the Premier League and Europe.

“Manchester United, who are looking to bolster their midfield this summer, are among the clubs who have scouted Fernandes.”

The 21-year-old can play all across the midfield and has four goals and as many assists to his name this season.

As per Fotmob, the Portuguese ace ranks in the 94th percentile among his Premier League peers for long balls completed and duels won, which shows how he can be an asset both with and without the ball.

Whether INEOS can pull off this deal remains to be seen. A lot will depend on the final position of Nuno Espirito Santo’s team.

Feature image Julian Finney via Getty Images

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