Manchester United are preparing an opening offer worth around £65M for West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
Michael Carrick has turned his attention to the 21-year-old as the latest piece in the club’s midfield rebuild. Manchester United have cooled interest in Elliot Anderson, with Nottingham Forest demanding a British record fee for the England midfielder. Forest have rejected an opening offer worth an initial £106m from Manchester City for Anderson.
West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League should make Fernandes a more attainable target, though the Hammers want a significant sum. The East Londoners are understood to be demanding double the £38m paid to sign Fernandes from Southampton last summer.
However, journalist Steve Kay has reported that United will table an opening bid of £65m. The Red Devils are hopeful the bid can tempt West Ham into a sale, with the capital club needing to raise around £150m following their relegation from the Premier League.
Fernandes is keen on a move to Old Trafford, and has previously named Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as a role model. The former made his international debut for Portugal earlier this year.
Read – How to watch World Cup highlights this summer
See more – World Cup round-up: Mexico and South Korea start with wins
