Manchester United are set to accelerate their interest in West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes after the East London side’s relegation was confirmed.
West Ham were relegated from the Premier League on Sunday, ending a 14-year spell as a top-flight side. The Hammers are expected to sanction major sales as a result, with the club having required sales even if survival had been secured.
Fernandes looks the likeliest option to bring in a big fee, amid strong interest from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.
The latter are ready to step up talks, with the Red Devils keen to get their business done early in the window. Fernandes’s failure to make the Portugal squad for the World Cup and West Ham’s relegation could aid a swift deal.
West Ham had valued the 21-year-old at around £80m, but could be forced to accept a lower offer after relegation.
Fernandes joined from Southampton last summer for a fee of around £40m and has impressed in a struggling side at the London Stadium, scoring three times and providing four assists, while ranking third in the Premier League for tackles won.
Alongside Fernandes, United are also working on a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta. The Italian side have confirmed that transfer talks are ongoing with an ‘important club’.
