For weeks West Ham fans have read endless reports from various in the knows – typically Fabrizio Romano – claiming the Red Devils were planning to bid for Mateus Fernandes:At first, sixty million was suggested but with each week the figure has grown higher as reported interest from elsewhere in the Premier League and beyond has grown.
West Ham’s £80 million asking price is now looking entirely reasonable.
However, latest suggestions will have Hammers’ fans heads in their hands once again at the prospect of north London neighbours Tottenham getting serious about the Portuguese midfielder’s signature.
Goal.com this afternoon claim “Tottenham near Mateus Fernandes agreement as London side move to beat Manchester United to signing”:
“According to transfer expert Matteo Moretto, the club is now “very close” to agreeing personal terms with the 21-year-old midfielder, who is widely considered one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League despite West Ham’s recent struggles.
While Manchester United have long identified Fernandes as a priority target, Tottenham have moved aggressively to steal a march on their rivals”
Most Read on Claret & Hugh
Which strikes me as so much hot air. (Being polite!)
Mateus Fernandes drops to the floor at the London Stadium
Manchester United, Paris St Germain or … Spuds. As if.
Anyone can agree personal terms with a player’s agent: Coming up with £80 million is another matter altogether and in any case, you’d have to question the sanity of a twice-relegated player consciously choosing to move to the almost relegated Tottenham Hotspur when Manchester United are knocking the door down.
Fernandes will likely have the pick of the cream of European football and neither you, dear reader, nor I, nor Fernandes, nor his agent, would classify Tottenham Hotspur in that category.