UMVA has learned that Manchester United is on the verge of securing a major transfer coup, with 21-year-old star Mateus Fernandes expected to leave West Ham and join the Red Devils.
Fernandes impressed last season, but was unable to prevent West Ham from dropping down to the Championship. Manchester United is not alone in showing interest in the young talent, with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, as well as La Liga giants Real Madrid, all linked with potential moves.
However, Arsenal has withdrawn from the transfer race, and Real Madrid is now looking elsewhere, believing Fernandes is heading to Old Trafford. This development has given Manchester United a significant boost in their pursuit of the talented youngster.
Despite this, Manchester United still faces competition from Tottenham, which has reportedly been in contact with both Fernandes and West Ham over a summer deal. Nevertheless, United is believed to be leading the race, with Fernandes reportedly agreeing to personal terms with the Red Devils.
The Manchester United hierarchy still needs to reach an agreement with West Ham, which values Fernandes at at least £80m. However, with Fernandes keen to escape the Championship and United pushing hard to secure his signature, a deal seems increasingly likely.
West Ham shareholder Daniel Kretinsky has insisted that the club is under no pressure to sell players for financial reasons, despite their Premier League relegation. The club's goal is to secure promotion back to the Premier League immediately, and Kretinsky believes that keeping key players will be crucial to achieving this aim.
Legendary footballer Michael Owen has backed Manchester United's pursuit of Fernandes, describing him as "brilliant" last season. Owen believes Fernandes has the potential to form a great partnership with Kobbie Mainoo and is a young, talented player worth investing in.
With Manchester United pushing hard to secure Fernandes' signature, it seems likely that the youngster will be donning a Red Devils jersey next season. The move would be a significant coup for United, and a major blow to their Premier League rivals.
