Well, that didn’t take long. If you watched last night’s World Cup match between Uruguay and Spain, you may have picked up that Manchester United defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious lower-body injury. And like clockwork, the rumor mill kicked into overdrive. Today, MARCA journalist Matteo Moretto is claiming that United are renewing their interest in West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, hoping to put in an offer that will GAZUMP Tottenham Hotspur’s
interest in the player.
Manchester United is back in the chase for Mateus Fernandes.
In the last few hours, there have been new contacts with the player; the Red Devils are willing to improve their contractual offer to convince him to sign.
Manchester United also plans to hold direct talks with West Ham.
Tottenham remains in the race and has pressed hard in recent days, but now United is trying to get ahead.
Let’s not forget we’re talking about a MARCA rumor — the equivalent to the Daily Mail of Spain. Not the most reliable source, but it WOULD make sense: United did have a strong interest in Fernandes, and if Ugarte is out long-term with whatever injury he picked up for Uruguay, then a renewed approach for Fernandes wouldn’t be outlandish. Fernandes is said to have initially preferred a move to United over Tottenham, but with United backing off had agreed personal terms with Spurs while the two clubs negotiated a transfer fee.
Now, if you want to believe Moretto, United are trying to hijack any potential deal. It could be that Fernandes decides to join Spurs anyway, but this would be a complicating factor. You can honestly understand a player like Fernandes preferring to join United over the team that finished 17th in the table two years running, but who knows.
All of this is, plus Newcastle holding firm on its valuation of Sandro Tonali, might just be the universe aligning itself for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton ending up signing for Spurs this summer. I’d be okay with that.
