West Ham United’s hopes of kicking off a Mateus Fernandes bidding war appear to have received a substantial boost as Real Madrid reportedly join Manchester United, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in targeting the Portugal international.
If you will allow Hammers News a brief blow of our proverbial trumpet, we did tell you this was going to be the situation.
We exclusively reported three weeks ago that West Ham would demand around £80 million for Mateus Fernandes.
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He's good – but is he THAT good?
While some felt that relegation to the Championship would see his value drop considerably, it appears that others are finally starting to realise that – demotion or no demotion – the Hammers will not be bullied into selling for a knockdown fee.
The prospect of a bidding war, with Europe’s richest clubs attending the auction, should only strengthen their stance.
According to reports in Spain, corroborated by Diario AS, Real Madrid have joined the race for Fernandes at the request of the returning Jose Mourinho.
Real Madrid fans love the idea of signing West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes
Fernandes is not the £150 million target Real president Florentino Perez hinted at on Thursday; the Bernabeu honcho is targeting an unnamed midfielder ‘who can go forward’ but insists said target does not belong to the Premier League.
Though after a poor season from Eduardo Camavinga, with Aurelien Tchouameni linked with a move away, a young, athletic midfielder with potential by the bucketload would be very well received.
“He could be a steal,” one Real Madrid fan writes on X, likening a deal for Fernandes to the one which took ex-Wolves loanee Vitinha to reigning European Champions Paris Saint-Germain. “Just like Vitinha.”
“At least [Fernandes] will be an upgrade on Tchouameni. He is extremely strong and physical!”
Two attributes Real’s midfield have often been accused of lacking; the Tchouameni/Camavinga connection yet to prove they can exert the same timeless influence as the fabled Toni Kroos/Luka Modric partnership.
“Ship Slowmeni to United and bring this guy,” another writes, while another hails Mourinho’s supposed influence in pursuit of his 21-year-old compatriot.
“Mourinho knows football so well.”
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“Basically, if Mateus were at PSG or a dominant or elite team, he would be just as impressive as [Joao] Neves or Vitinha. He’s better than the Vitinha from Porto that PSG signed and on par with Neves at Benfica.
“If Madrid manages to secure this signing, it raises the team’s floor tremendously and, going forward, elevates the ceiling. It’s essential to sell Camavinga; this kid [Fernandes] is much better and organises the creation for you. He’s the classic organizing midfielder with elite projection, turning ability, timing…”
“A jack-of-all-trades. An all-in-one. Not a 10 at anything but a 7.5 – 8 at EVERYTHING. He recovers, goes into the tackle and onto the ground, he’s everywhere and has a really good pass.”
“He’s really good, he’s the ‘low-budget’ Joao Neves. I hope they sign him but I don’t see this happening unless Camavinga or Tchouameni leaves.”
Low-budget in theory, but perhaps not in practice.
Hammers News were told this week that West Ham will not even consider offers below £60 million.
Spanish publication Diario AS report that Fernandes is on Mourinho’s list of ‘suggestions’ put forward to Florentino Perez. While Manchester United still appear to be his most likely destination, AS also talk up the interest of Arsenal and Liverpool.
In terms of potential replacements, West Ham are reportedly huge fans of Sheffield United’s Sydie Peck.
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