Mateus Fernandes has given the green light to join Manchester United, talkSPORT understands.
The Red Devils have made Fernandes their top midfield target after refusing to get dragged into a bidding war with Manchester City for Elliot Anderson.
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Fernandes was a standout for West Ham in a tough season that ended in relegationCredit: AFP
The Red Devils are hoping to negotiate West Ham down from their £80million asking price.
Man United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, recommended Southampton sign Fernandes before leaving the Saints for Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are looking to revamp their midfield department with Casemiro leaving.
Manuel Ugarte is also free to leave the club as well.
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That would leave Michael Carrick with just Kobbie Mainoo as an option in central midfield.
But a deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson has been agreed, and a £38.8million move to Old Trafford will be made official soon.
And now Fernandes has emerged as the main target for the other midfield slot.
Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton are also admired by those at Old Trafford.
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Man United are expected to be pretty busy this summer with multiple deals in the pipelineCredit: GettyHuge fee
In a relegated team, Fernandes was a shining light.
But he has now been relegated in back-to-back Premier League campaigns, having suffered the same fate last season with Southampton.
At West Ham, Fernandes became a key part of Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side and shone with his technical ability.
talkSPORT understands that West Ham fully expect to lose Fernandes this summer.
But they’ve been told that their price demands are too high.
Certainly, that is the view of Jeff Stelling, who was discussing Fernandes as an option for Arsenal at the start of the month.
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Ederson could have an immediate new midfield partnerCredit: Getty
He said: “My immediate thoughts are £80m in West Ham’s dreams because they’re in such a financial situation that they can’t bargain up big time, I’m thinking maybe £50m.
“I like him a lot as a player, but he is not a priority for Arsenal.”
Ally McCoist added: “I think he’s an excellent player, and I think he certainly can play at a real top level, elite level.
“But if you’re asking me where Arsenal’s priorities lie, left-hand side and centre-forward attack. Concentrate there.
“Your midfield’s good with Zubimendi coming on for Lewis-Skelly.”
Stelling added: “I think it’s a ridiculous price. He’s not going to cost that sort of amount of money.
“Frankly, if he goes there, as much as I like him, he wouldn’t be a guaranteed starter.”
Given Man United’s midfield issues, it is probably a very different story.
Summer off
Despite a stellar campaign, Fernandes missed out on selection for Portugal’s World Cup squad.
Of course, Roberto Martinez has a lot of top midfield options, but it still seemed odd he wasn’t selected.
As a result, he has a summer off and could complete a transfer to Man United at any time.
But Andy Brassell believes that he was extremely unlucky not to be on the plane.
Speaking to talkSPORT.com, he said: “I think Mateus Fernandes would have been a great player to take.
“I think form is so important as well.
“I know international coaches are naturally a little bit conservative and that they want to stick with what they know.
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“He’s not the most experienced, we know that at an international level. But he’s been really good, in a not very good side this season.
“West Ham would have been sunk ages ago without him.”