If you listened to any of the rhetoric from Manchester United fans and pundits, they'd have you believe Mateus Fernandes will be arriving this summer on a transfer fee of under £60 million. Maybe there was a chance in hell the Red Devils could have pulled off a minor miracle when David Sullivan was still running things, but since new majority owner Daniel Křetínský took the reins at West Ham, getting a bargain on players seems like a foregone conclusion.
So who's actually in on Fernandes? The front runners seem to be Manchester United, as multiple sources confirm that West Ham prized midfielder has actually had conversations with manager Michael Carrick. United has also been in touch with Křetínský and have been informed the asking price is £85 million. Previous to the Czech owner's takeover, a source confirmed United had been in touch with Sullivan and offered £65 million.
"We are in a different place financially than we were just 2 weeks ago," a club source said. "We are in a different place with personnel than we were 2 weeks ago as well. A number has been set, and that was not discussed when (Manchester United) initially made contact. They have now been informed"
That may be more than United wants to spend on Fernandes, but they also recognize they won't be the only offer. While United is working to get all its ducks in a row, Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid are preparing an offer closer to the number West Ham have set.
Where does Fernandes want to go?
Ther are conflicting reports that Fernandes has told his agent Jorge Mendes that he prefers United, but that is not necessarily the case. Talks between Carrick and Fernandes were positive, but chance to play for arguable the biggest club in the world under arguably the greatest Portuguese manager of all time is something he can't ignore. Both clubs have the means to make an offer of that level, but Madrid are not moving with the same urgency.
There have also been rumors that Paris-Saint Germain are keeping an eye on the situation with the intent of hijacking any deal. Liverpool and Arsenal have also kept tabs on the transfer talks and can enter negotiations when conversations begin to escalate. However, Fernandes has expressed that Madrid is his preference, with momentum building at United. Carrick has laid out deployment plans and first-team football.
Journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano expressed his thoughts on exactly what West Ham are doing: they'd love several clubs at the table simply to drive the price up, even with the situation still unresolved. That's the real function of Madrid and Arsenal expressing interest is not as alternative buyers, necessarily, but as proof of market value that keeps United from lowballing West Ham because they have been relegated and may be desperate to get some funds into the club.
Romano also believes the deal almost certainly gets done and United are too advanced. The only real question left is whether West Ham draw an offer from Madrid and hold the line on price long enough for United's confidence to turn into West Ham's number.
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