As Manchester United target midfield reinforcements to replace Casemiro, the West Ham star emerges as a dynamic £40 million solution to bolster Michael Carrick’s squad depth.
Who would you like Man Utd to sign for the midfield this summer?
Manchester United have managed to turn things around of late, and a lot of that is credited to Michael Carrick's appointment as interim manager.
The Reds secured Champions League football for next season after a stellar home win against Liverpool on Sunday, and with the league all but decided, focus now shifts to recruitment.
Chrstpopher Vivell, the director of recruitment, has a busy summer on his hands. A reported £100 million has been raised in player sales and various clauses so far, with stars like Marcus Rashford and Andre Onana looking likely to leave the club as well.
At least two top-tier midfielders are required to compete both in domestic competitions and in Europe, and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes could be the perfect candidate, according to Jamie O'Hara.
Fernandes links grow strong
After an impressive debut campaign for West Ham, Fernandes has been named as a target for many top European clubs, but crucially has been listed as a potential candidate to fill Casemiro's boots, as the Brazilian is leaving the club at the end of the season.
As relayed by WestHamZone, former Tottenham midfielder and talkSPORT host Jamie O'Hara has touted the Portuguese midfielder as the perfect squad player for the Reds.
“I like Fernandes... He’s a really good player. I’d expect United to go and get Elliot Anderson, or spend £100m on a midfielder who can take you to the next level. But I get they have to strengthen the squad with lots of games next season.”
Many fans have supported the Reds' pursuit of Fernandes, who, at 21, could become a world beater. With two midfielders needed, the West Ham midfielder might be the perfect signing to complement another midfield acquisition in rotation.
A reported £40 million fee is required to secure the 21-year-old's signature, money the Reds certainly have, as the club has reported a current £100 million budget for the summer transfer window, and that's without the departures of players currently on loan and likely to leave the club this summer.
How does Fernades fare against alternatives?
Despite an impressive two seasons in the Premier League and an obvious vast amount of ability, the club has not submitted concrete interest in the Portuguese midfielder, either in the form of a bid or through an official enquiry.
However, the 21-year-old has been named in the seven-man midfield shortlist for the summer, which includes familiar names such as Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and of course, Elliot Anderson.
Fernandes has been operating as a box-to-box midfielder for Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham, and has become a catalyst in transition from defence to attack, with his extraordinary dribbling and physical ability.
Both he and Elliot Anderson are very similar in profile, though the Englishman has a larger stature; both possess remarkable pressing attributes, and both arrive late in the opposition box to act as an eccentric attacking outlet.
Despite this, United need a Casemiro replacement desperately, a ball-winner who can screen the defence, and while interest remains in Fernandes, a more defensive option is also required, which may be a priority for the board.