West Ham United are preparing for a major summer battle over their prized asset.
Their recent defeat against Arsenal in the Premier League has pushed them closer to relegation and that could mean a number of their key players could leave the club in the summer transfer window.
According to reports from Football Insider, the Hammers have made a £84 million bid for midfielder Mateus Fernandes in an attempt to fend off suitors.
Manchester United have emerged as the main force driving the interest, actively exploring ways to renew their engine room.
While West Ham find themselves locked in a top-flight survival frenzy with just two games remaining, the 21-year-old Portuguese sensation appears fully determined to continue his career at the highest level, whatever the fate of the London club.
West Ham are demanding a premium fee for the midfielder
The £84 million demand is more than double the £38 million initial package (plus add-ons) the Hammers invested in signing him from Southampton last summer.
Although West Ham have endured a tumultuous domestic campaign that has come close to the brink of the Championship, Fernandes has been an undeniable revelation.
Playing in 34 of the club’s 36 Premier League games so far, his fierce resistance to the media, extraordinary ball handling and hard work have made him one of the most exciting young profiles in Europe.
His meteoric rise was confirmed recently when Portugal manager Roberto Martínez gave him his international debut against the United States.
For Man United, signing a dynamic, versatile midfielder is a priority in the upcoming transfer window.
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Not only did they lose Casemiro at the end of the season, they are faced with a lack of quality and depth in midfield without the Brazilian exit.
Old Trafford officials are planning a complete overhaul to future-proof their squad, and the tactical flexibility of Fernandes, who can operate seamlessly as a deep number six, box-to-box eight, or center forward, fits their recruitment agenda.
In addition, reports indicate that United captain Bruno Fernandes is very much in favor of bringing his classy compatriot to Manchester to help carry the load in midfield.
If the Hammers fail to get relegated, keeping a player of Fernandes’ caliber in the second tier will be impossible.
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