UMVA has learned that Jose Mourinho has put Mateus Fernandes at the top of Real Madrid's transfer wishlist, setting the stage for a heated battle with Manchester United.
The 21-year-old West Ham midfielder has caught the eye of several top clubs, including Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, after impressing in his debut season. Fernandes was signed from Southampton for £42m last year, but West Ham's relegation from the Premier League has opened the door for a potential exit.
Manchester United has already begun talks with West Ham over a deal to sign Fernandes, but the London club is demanding a whopping £80m transfer fee. However, Mourinho has reportedly recommended Fernandes to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, throwing a significant spanner in the works.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Perez is on the verge of being re-elected as president, and if successful, Mourinho will return to the Santiago Bernabeu as head coach. This development could give Real Madrid a significant advantage in the pursuit of Fernandes.
Perez has promised to make a splash in the transfer market if re-elected, revealing plans to submit a club-record bid for a top player. He hinted that the target would be a midfielder who can play forward, and the offer would be substantial, around €150m.
The identity of Perez's transfer target remains a mystery, but one thing is certain – the summer transfer window is shaping up to be one of the most explosive in recent history. With Real Madrid, Manchester United, and other top clubs circling, Fernandes' future is about to become a hotly contested topic.
