The owners of West Ham have reacted to claims Manchester United are closing in on a bargain £40m move for Mateus Fernandes – and have made a shock vow about the midfielder’s future.
- Hammers News exclusive
Premier League clubs are circling like vultures around West Ham’s top players following the club’s relegation to the Championship.
None more so than Manchester United, who have been heavily linked with both Mateus Fernandes and Hammers skipper Jarrod Bowen.
But Man United and co are mistaken if they think they can pick up some bargains in a West Ham summer fire sale.
West Ham board send message to Man United over Fernandes deal
The Hammers board have already made their stance on player sales clear after posting £104m losses at the end of February.
The owners stated that player sales would be the first port of call to raise funds to plug the financial hole before they injected money themselves.
Name a better Mateus Fernandes replacement than Hayden Hackney… 💭
Realistic signings only! We'd all love Bernardo Silva 😂
That seems to have sparked a belief at Old Trafford that Man United can lure away star midfielder Fernandes for a knockdown fee.
West Ham paid in excess of £40m for the all-action Portuguese star.
But reports gathering pace this week have claimed the Hammers are now close to agreeing to sell 21-year-old Fernandes to the Red Devils for the same price.
That’s despite the combative former Sporting ace having a superb season where he turned heads in a terrible West Ham side.
Hammers News reported back in March that Man United had taken the first step to sign Fernandes from West Ham.
It was claimed the 13-time Premier League champions were in conversations with Fernandes’ entourage over a summer deal.
Hammers laugh off claims of £40m Man United deal with Fernandes vow
Back in the Champions League and expected to challenge for the title next season, Manchester United are suddenly an even more attractive proposition for players.
Hammers News has previously reported that 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.
Which West Ham player would you be MOST DISAPPOINTED to lose this summer? 💭⚒️
Soucek? Fernandes? Bowen? Mavropanos? Or is your choice someone else? 🤔
Reports have stated that Fernandes is rated at around £80m by West Ham.
Hammers News understands from leading senior clubs sources it would take offers exceeding £60m for the club to even consider selling their most valuable player, especially as there is no relegation release clause in his contract.
So the club’s hierarchy has reacted emphatically to reports emerging from the likes of The Times and talkSPORT this week claiming Man United are confident of a £40m deal.
West Ham’s owners have laughed off the claims – and even made a shock vow that they do not want to sell him at all and hope he will lead their charge back to the Premier League.
“The reports about Mateus is close to being sold to Man United or anyone else are total rubbish,” a senior spokesman for West Ham’s joint-chairs David Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky and Vanessa Gold exclusively told Hammers News.
“We do not want to sell him at any price – and £40m would be laughed at.”
Man United should consider themselves duly warned.
Of course that pledge about keeping Fernandes in the Championship could be a negotiating tactic from the West Ham ownership.
But with as many as eight elite clubs from three countries interested in Fernandes, including mega rich PSG and Real Madrid, West Ham have more than hope that there would be a bidding war for their player if they did sell.
West Ham have made it clear to Manchester United he won’t be leaving the London Stadium on the cheap.
For the player and the Hammers, it is a shame Fernandes was omitted from the Portugal squad for the World Cup after promises were made to the player by Roberto Martinez.
But he is still young with a high ceiling and under the right coach could be one of the best all-round midfielders in Europe.
Indeed West Ham will point to the fact he already is after being named in the team of the year in Europe’s top five leagues from players aged 21 and under.
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