Manchester City have reportedly joined the chase for West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes ahead of the summer transfer window.
Fernandes joined West Ham from Southampton last summer, in a transfer worth up to £42 million, with the 21-year-old midfielder signing a five-year contract that ties him to the London Stadium until June 2030.
After arriving in West London, Fernandes wasted little time stamping his authority and has since racked up 28 starts in 29 Premier League outings while chipping in with seven goal contributions.
In a side short on spark for much of the campaign, the Portugal international has consistently been one of the few shining lights for the Hammers.
But even his impressive displays haven’t been enough to paper over the cracks. West Ham’s campaign has largely been a grind, with Nuno Espírito Santo’s men stuck in a season-long relegation scrap, where flashes of individual brilliance have counted for little in the bigger picture.
West Ham’s current situation has alerted Fernandes’ admirers in the transfer market, with top Premier League clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool reportedly ready to offer the Portuguese star an exit route from the Hammers’ sinking ship.
Football Insider now reports that Manchester City have also taken an interest as they look to find a suitable replacement for Bernardo Silva, who is set to depart the Etihad once his current contract expires in the summer.
City’s biggest competition for Fernandes will likely come from cross-town rivals Man United, with the Red Devils also looking to fill the huge void that Casemiro’s imminent departure will create at the heart of their midfield.
For their part, West Ham can definitely be expected to demand a premium in transfer fees, should they consider sanctioning an exit for one of their most prized assets this summer.
