Mateus Fernandes transfer stance revealed as Manchester United 'prepare opening bid' for Arsenal target | OneFootball

West Ham midfielder is attracting plenty of interest after an impressive season

Arsenal and Manchester United have been handed a warning in their pursuit of Mateus Fernandes, with West Ham under no pressure to sell for financial reasons.

Standard Sport understands the Hammers have set an asking price of £80million for the 21-year-old, with the reason for the valuation down to an internal belief he can develop into a world-class player within the next two years.

Man United are among the clubs that hold a concrete interest in Fernandes, though Arsenal, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have also been touted as potential destinations for the ex-Southampton midfielder.

It had been suggested that West Ham need recoup more than £100m in player sales this summer to balance the books after suffering relegation from the Premier League this season.

Transfer target: Mateus Fernandes

Fernandes, regarded as the Hammers’ most valuable player, has been tipped to leave the London Stadium when the transfer window officially opens.

“We are doing this to make sure we are promoted back to the Premier League immediately. That is our only goal.

“Key players are waiting for us. They want to see there is a real chance of keeping the squad together.

“What matters is funding, strategy and consistency. We have spoken to all of them.

We have a very credible strategy. We don’t need to sell the players for financial reasons

Daniel Kretinsky

Man United, said to be leading the race for the Portugal international, are reportedly preparing an opening bid but do not want to entertain the aforementioned asking price.

That said, judging by Kretinsky’s comments, it would appear that any attempts to negotiate the price down will fall on deaf ears.

Arsenal, meanwhile, may have already turned their attentions elsewhere as they are believed to be interested in signing Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille.

After the youngster impressed on his World Cup debut for Morocco against Brazil, reports claim that contact has taken place between both clubs and the agent of the player who is also a transfer target for Liverpool and PSG.