Manchester United's summer transfer window is already shaping up to be one of the most interesting in years. Ederson from Atalanta is virtually done. And now Mateus Fernandes, the 21-year-old West Ham midfielder, is reportedly giving United priority over everyone else. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, PSG — they are all interested. And Fernandes is apparently looking past all of them towards Old Trafford.
The reason is straightforward and actually quite charming. He wants to play with Bruno Fernandes. His idol. His Portugal teammate. Bruno has reportedly been raving about him to INEOS and Michael Carrick is said to love what he has seen. When your captain is actively recruiting your transfer targets for you that is a very good sign.
Let us look at what Mateus Fernandes actually is because he deserves more attention than he has got. Twenty one years old. Born in Olhão in Portugal. Came through Sporting CP's academy. Had one season at Southampton before West Ham paid £40 million for him last summer. In a West Ham side that has been absolutely dreadful this season and got relegated, he has been their one consistent performer. Six goals and four assists in 40 matches. Tenacious in the tackle, progressive with the ball, composed under pressure. Multiple scouts have been spotted at West Ham games specifically to watch him.
The price is the interesting bit. West Ham were asking £80 million while they were still in the Premier League. Now they are relegated that figure could drop significantly — reports suggest closer to £60 million. For a 21 year old Portuguese international who has already shown he can handle the Premier League and who desperately wants to come, that starts to look like decent value.
The concern is whether he is a like for like replacement for Casemiro — he is not. Fernandes is more progressive, more technical, less of a pure destroyer. But paired with Ederson in a double pivot that could be exactly the modern midfield United have been trying to build for years. Ederson does the defensive heavy lifting. Fernandes links play and drives forward. Kobbie Mainoo creates.
Carrick's first window is starting to look very promising indeed.
Let me know your thoughts.