A top BBC journalist claims Manchester United are closing on a deal for midfielder Mateus Fernandes but Jose Mourinho has other ideas, much to the delight of West Ham.
West Ham star Mateus Fernandes is one of the most sought after players heading into the summer transfer window but it seems Manchester United were leading the chase – until now.
Hammers News reported months ago that Man United had taken the first step to sign Fernandes from West Ham.
West Ham feel Fernandes, at 21, has just as much – if not more – potential as Declan Rice while also being far better on the ball and going forward, as communicated by a top club spokesman to Hammers News previously.
Mourinho delight for West Ham after bold Fernandes deal claim
Some of Europe’s top clubs clearly agree because Fernandes has no less than eight elite sides reportedly in for his services.
The likes of The Times and talkSPORT sparked a stinging response from West Ham’s owners this week when they claimed Man United are confident of striking a £40m deal with the Hammers for the Portuguese.
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In a Hammers News exclusive, West Ham’s board responded by laughing at the £40m Fernandes claim and insisting they want to keep the all-action star.
The Hammers value Fernandes at £80m and would not listen to any offers below £60-70m.
Now there has been a new twist after a claim about the situation from BBC Sport’s top Man United reporter.
And there’s Jose Mourinho delight for West Ham after the bold claim about a Man United deal being close.
Simon Stone has stated he would be ‘surprised’ if Man United don’t sign Fernandes from West Ham.
“Would be surprised if Mateus Fernandes (to Manchester United) didn’t get done,” Stone said.
Man United blow as Mourinho threatens Fernandes bidding war
“A bit of a stand off with West Ham at the moment, who are adamant they DON’T have to sell and want £80m. Could be done quickly because Fernandes didn’t make the cut for the World Cup.”
However, West Ham could get the bidding war they would clearly prefer.
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There have been claims that PSG, Arsenal, Juventus and a number of other top clubs are also interested in Fernandes.
But now the biggest of them all wants West Ham’s most valuable asset.
Because according to Spanish journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon, incoming Real Madrid boss Mourinho has told club chiefs that he wants Fernandes if Aurélien Tchouaméni leaves the club as expected this summer.
Tchouaméni had an almighty fallout with Real Madrid favourite Federico Valverde which saw the latter end up in hospital.
The situation will be resolved by France midfielder Tchouaméni leaving, it has been claimed.
Now Mourinho has made it clear West Ham’s sought-after Fernandes is the player he wants to replace him.
That means David Sullivan and co will get the bidding war they want.
And that can only bode well for the Hammers given the club’s bleak financial situation following relegation to the Championship.
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