Liverpool are believed to have “had a meeting” with the representatives of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes over a move to Anfield this summer.
The Reds’ midfielder produced another lifeless performance in the 4-0 defeat at Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-final last weekend, with issues in the middle of the park all season long.
While centre-back and attack are arguably more important positions to look at improving, it is also vital that fresh blood is added there, in order to improve the squad depth.
According to a new report from Caught Offside, £55m-rated West Ham ace Fernandes appears to be a “serious option”, following talks with his agents:
“Liverpool have had a meeting with someone from Gestifute. They’re looking at Mateus Fernandes as a serious option in midfield this summer.”
Would Mateus Fernandes help transform Liverpool’s midfield?
Fernandes may be part of a struggling West Ham side who are battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, but he is a young player with a huge amount of potential.
The 21-year-old is now a one-cap Portugal international, and that number should only grow significantly, with former Sporting Lisbon B coach Filipe Celikkaya lauding his qualities as both a footballer and a person, saying:
“A great person, with whom it’s a pleasure to talk and work. Besides his talent and ability, he’s very humble and focused. He’s already the present of the National Team and also the future.”
If Fernandes does suffer relegation with the Hammers, he will surely leave – a player of his quality won’t want to be playing in the Championship next season – and it could only aid Liverpool’s chances of signing him.
The Portuguese has shown he can shine in the Premier League, scoring against the Reds during his Southampton days last term, and he would be a younger alternative to Alexis Mac Allister, who has looked off the pace throughout the campaign.
That said, Fernandes is still extremely young, so signing him as well as a more experienced figure could be the way forward, with an out-and-out No.6 arguably needed, in order to give Ryan Gravenberch more attacking licence.