Manchester United have discussed making a surprise move for Fulham star Sander Berge should they fail to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.
Man United got their summer transfer business off to a quick start after reaching a full agreement to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson in a deal worth under £40m, with the Brazilian expected to complete a move to Old Trafford next month after he received a late call-up to Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Things have slowed down since the tournament began, as they look to complete a rebuild of their midfield, with West Ham's Mateus Fernandes emerging as the key target.
The Red Devils had been looking at deals for the likes of Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, but both have proved difficult.
England star Anderson appears to be edging closer to joining Manchester City as the Premier League runners-up are nearer to reaching an agreement on a fee with Forest, which looks set to be worth well in excess of £100m.
Meanwhile, Real are keen to keep hold of United's 'dream' Casemiro replacement in Tchouameni, despite the fact he was involved in a huge training ground bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde.
United Considering Mateus Fernandes Alternatives
West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring Premier League goal against Sunderlandvia Reuters
Mateus Fernandes has emerged as the club's priority target in midfield in recent weeks, with the player keen on a move to United as he looks to avoid playing in the Championship following West Ham's relegation.
While the Red Devils may have player buy-in, with the Portugal international also keen to link up with his compatriot Bruno at the 'Theatre of Dreams', it is proving more difficult to agree a fee with the Hammers.
Despite the fact they are now in the second tier, West Ham chiefs want £80-85m for their prized asset, while United understandably value him lower than that, given he is technically a second-tier player.
If they don't land Fernandes, then Jacobs has named two alternative targets on his latest appearance on the United Stand, including Fulham and Norway star Berge.
He said: Mateus Fernandes [is the] leading target at the moment. If they don't get him, I still think there are legs to the Carlos Baleba situation and keep an eye on Sander Berge, who's another player that Manchester United have discussed in recent weeks."
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Berge Would be Surprise United Addition
MixCollage-11-Oct-2024-02-55-PM-2739via Reuters
United have been linked with some big-money and high-profile midfield names in this summer transfer window, so a move for Berge would come as a slight surprise.
What is known is that the Red Devils have been long-term admirers of the 6 ft 5 midfield colossus who, at 28, is an older age profile to the club's recent transfer strategy.
However, Michael Carrick would know that he could rely on Berge to perform now, given he has 132 Premier League appearances to his name, and 67 caps for Norway.
Berge is a versatile central midfielder who has become well known for his powerful ball-carrying, accurate passing and being a player who can receive the ball under pressure and retain possession.