Since well before the transfer window opened just a week ago, media reports have been linking West Ham’s wonderkid midfielder with a move to Old Trafford to link up with his compatriot, team captain Bruno Fernandes.
Indeed, Mateus Fernandes has been added to the list of ‘targets’ for clubs including Aston Villa, Tottenham, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid, such is the admiration for the Hammers’ twice relegated midfielder.
According to today’s footballinsider247.com there’s apparently a new team in town who are plotting to steal Fernandes out from Manchester United’s clutches:
“Liverpool can pull off another hijack as they accelerate plan to sign athletic midfielder…Liverpool have positioned themselves to hijack a move for West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes as they accelerate their plans to sign a midfielder, sources have told Football Insider”.
Liverpool? Manchester United? Paris St German? Who can say. But probably not Tottenham.
Which is all grist to the mill for West Ham’s plans to stage an auction for their hugely-in demand midfield talent. If Fernandes is to leave, then best the Irons extract every penny out of a chasing pack of Europe’s finest.. and Spurs.
There’s a 15% sell on clause in Fernandes contract meaning the Hammers will have to send a hefty chunk of cash to Southampton so the higher the price, the better for West Ham United, now facing up to tighter purse strings in the Championship.
That £85 million price which was looking out of reach before the window opened is suddenly starting to look very real indeed.
So, according to today’s report, yet another Champions League side joins the race for his signature: All of which makes it even less likely that Fernandes will end up at Spurs. For which we can all be hugely grateful.