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West Ham face a battle to hold on to Mateus Fernandes this summer and there are fears Manchester United could turn this head – especially after backing from Roy Keane.
If West Ham secure Premier League survival this season, Mateus Fernandes will have played a fundamental role.
Manchester United are one of a host of clubs being persistently linked with a move for the all-action Portuguese midfield ace.
The summer transfer window opens in just over two months on June 15th and West Ham’s owners have admitted players will have to be sold after the club posted record £104m losses in their latest accounts.
West Ham star Fernandes gets Keane’s vote amid Man United interest
Man United are planning to try and benefit by luring Fernandes away from the London Stadium just one year after he arrived in a £40m move from Southampton.
That was big money for the Hammers to pay but Fernandes has proved he is worth every penny.
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Fernandes has finally filled the void left by Declan Rice in the West Ham engine room.
Concern among West Ham fans is that the club’s finances could dictate a sale even if they remain in the top flight.
Photo by Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Last month it was claimed Man United had made the first move to sign Fernandes from West Ham.
Now West Ham have genuine fears as Roy Keane gives Man United his blessing to sign Fernandes.
Nobody knows what it takes to be a central midfielder at Old Trafford better than Keane.
The Red Devils legend has given Fernandes big billing when ranking current Premier League midfielders.
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And that has set alarm bells ringing in the West Ham boardroom given Manchester United are on the hunt to find replacements for Casemiro and, most likely, flop Manuel Ugarte.
Keane told The Overlap that 21-year-old West Ham star Fernandes is better than a host of his rivals, including Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Man United’s own Casemiro, Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandes.
Keane eventually picked Bernardo Silva over Fernandes and backed the Man City man over Elliot Anderson, ex Hammers captain Rice and Bruno Fernandes.
The ripple effect of that backing from Keane has been felt in east London.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Hammers News understands that West Ham are desperate to keep Fernandes if they stay up.
But the worry behind the scenes at the club is that Champions League football and one of the world’s biggest clubs in Man United could turn Fernandes’ head.
Not to mention that West Ham’s midfield star has stated on several occasions that his namesake Bruno is one of his footballing idols – so the chance to play alongside him at Old Trafford would be undeniably attractive.
Throw in the fact a club legend, who played that position, believes Fernandes is better than a plethora of other Premier League midfielders and it sends a clear message.
If West Ham are forced into a sale then their bargaining power will be increased by staying in the Premier League.
Should the Hammers stay up, Hammers News understands Fernandes would be deemed not for sale unless a club made an ‘extraordinary bid’.
What that would mean in monetary terms remains to be seen but given his age, talent and potential, £70-80m would look a fair minimum price if the Irons do sell.
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