Arsenal are keen on signing West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer, according to The Times.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wants to reshape the midfield at the Emirates Stadium club, and the ‘incredible’ Portugal international has emerged as a target.
Arsenal are open to selling Christian Norgaard, who joined from Brentford last summer, and Fernandes could come in as his direct replacement.
Arteta wants someone who can start in place of Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi, and the 21-year-old West Ham star fits the bill as he can play deeper or further forward.
He joined West Ham from Southampton last summer but could be on his way out at the end of the season, especially if the Hammers get relegated.
However, Arsenal are not the only ones keeping tabs on Fernandes as Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are admirers of his qualities too.
He has featured in 34 league games this term, weighing in with three goals and three assists after two goals and four assists in 36 league fixtures for the Saints last term.
Fernandes has what it takes to improve the Gunners’ squad, and he will give them much-needed squad depth as they look to challenge across all four competitions next season.
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The Portuguese, who has been nominated for the Young Player of the Season award, could have reservations about joining Arsenal.
He will be desperate to keep playing regularly after starting most of the league games over the last 24 months, which is not guaranteed at the North London club.
Fernandes could find himself behind Rice, Zubimendi and Myles Lewis-Skelly in the pecking order should he join Arsenal.
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