Man Utd and Arsenal are interested in signing Mateus Fernandes (Picture: Getty)
West Ham shareholder Daniel Kretinsky insists the club are under no pressure to sell players for ‘financial reasons’ as Manchester United and Arsenal chase Mateus Fernandes.
Portugal international Fernandes is one of several West Ham players who have been heavily linked with moves away from the London Stadium following the Hammers’ relegation to the Championship.
West Ham signed Fernandes from Southampton last summer and the 21-year-old enjoyed an impressive campaign despite the east Londoners slipping out of the Premier League.
Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for Fernandes as they chase midfield reinforcements for new permanent boss Michael Carrick.
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United have already agreed a deal to sign Brazil’s Ederson from Atalanta but want at least one more midfielder to arrive through the doors at Old Trafford.
Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba have all been linked with United but Fernandes is seen as a more realistic target given West Ham’s relegation.
But Manchester United face competition from Premier League champions Arsenal and Real Madrid, who recently appointed legendary Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho as their new manager.
Man Utd’s new permanent manager Michael Carrick (Picture: Getty)
West Ham have reportedly slapped an asking price of £80m on Fernandes and London Stadium chief Kretinsky insists players will not be sold on the cheap despite a painful and costly relegation.
‘We have a very credible strategy,’ Kretinsky, who is set to become West Ham’s largest shareholder and also owns the Daily Mail, told The Times.
‘We don’t need to sell the players for financial reasons. We are doing this to make sure we are promoted back to the Premier League immediately. That is our only goal.
West Ham United shareholder Daniel Kretinsky (Picture: Getty)
‘Key players are waiting for us. They want to see there is a real chance of keeping the squad together. What matters is funding, strategy and consistency.
‘We have spoken to all of them. They need to see that our project is real and serious. Promotion is our only goal.’
Manchester United have made midfield reinforcements their priority this summer to compensate for Casemiro’s departure and the possible exit of Manuel Ugarte.
Fernandes after West Ham’s relegation was confirmed (Picture: Getty)
The Red Devils have already held talks with West Ham over a deal for Fernandes and United captain Bruno Fernandes is said to have ‘approved’ the transfer.
But Arsenal have also identified the Hammers as a possible summer target as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s title-winning squad.
Last week, in an exclusive interview with **Metro** , Michael Owen backed Manchester United’s pursuit of Fernandes.
‘I thought he was brilliant last season,’ said Owen, the face of Casino.org in the UK, a leading comparison website helping Brits find online casinos that suit their preferences.
‘I watched him a lot I think he’s a very good pick. He’s reasonably young which is another massive tick. If you’re going to be spending 80 to 100 million then you don’t want to be buying someone that’s in their late 20s.
‘I could see him and Kobbie Mainoo forming a great partnership in there, and the other thing is he should be gettable.
‘West Ham have gone into the Championship and he’s not going to want to be playing in the Championship so I mean I would think that he’s very gettable and I think he’s very good.
‘I personally would be making him my first choice.’
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