Mateus Fernandes makes shock transfer decision after Man Utd agree terms with £80m star

Mateus Fernandes is reportedly keen to pursue a move to Tottenham despite already agreeing personal terms over a move to Manchester United.

Fernandes appears poised to leave West Ham this summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

The 21-year-old was signed from Southampton last summer in a deal worth £38million plus £4m in add-ons and impressed in his debut season with the Hammers.

Fernandes is not short of options, with United just one of several clubs, including Arsenal, Real Madrid and Tottenham, who have considered a move for the Portuguese midfielder this summer.

Reports suggest that Arsenal have already withdrawn from the transfer race and turned to other targets such as Aston Villa and England star Morgan Rogers.

And according to the Spanish outlet Diario AS, Real have also now ruled out a move for Fernandes as they turn their attention towards Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

However, the report also adds that Fernandes has expressed a clear desire to move to Tottenham, where he believes he has more chances of regular minutes to aid his progression.

Such a development would come as a hammer blow to the United hierarchy, who are said to have already agreed personal terms with Fernandes.

Additional reporting from transfer journalist Nicolo Schira suggests that Spurs are now in talks with West Ham as they look to overtake United and land a statement signing to bolster Roberto De Zerbi’s midfield.

West Ham are holding out for a fee of around £80million for Fernandes, with Spurs reportedly happy to pay more than United for the 21-year-old.

Speaking to The United Stand, Daily Mail journalist Mike Keegan said: ‘What I’ve heard relatively recently is Spurs have come in, and Spurs are surprising people, not just at United, across the Premier League.

‘The way it was described to me, they’ve gone really aggressive with the amount of money that they’re willing to spend.

‘My information is that Spurs are already at the higher end of what United would be happy to pay for him.

‘There is a belief that he still wants to come and play for United, but it’s not just players, there’s agents involved, it tends to be that the player goes to whoever’s offering them the most money.’

Alongside their interest in Fernandes, Tottenham are also exploring a deal for Sandro Tonali but saw their first bid of £75m rejected by Newcastle United.

Speaking exclusively to Metro earlier in the transfer window, former Red Devils striker Michael Owen urged United to do everything they can to land Fernandes.

‘Personally, if I was Michael Carrick, if I were Manchester United, I’d be getting Fernandes from West Ham,’ Owen said, ‘I think he’s very good. I think he’s exactly what they need.

‘I watched him a lot. I think he’s a very good pick. He’s reasonably young which is another massive tick. If you’re going to be spending 80 to 100 million then you don’t want to be buying someone that’s in their late 20s.

‘I could see him and Kobbie Mainoo forming a great partnership in there.’

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