Man Utd 'strongest contenders' for Mateus Fernandes as signing No 2 as talks 'accelerate'

Manchester United are the 'strongest contenders' for West Ham man Mateus Fernandes, as they have 'accelerated talks' in of late, reports Caught Offside.

United's priority this summer is a midfielder. Casemiro is departing and they're believed to be nearing the signing of his compatriot, Ederson, from Atalanta.

The Brazilian will cost them £35million if they get their way, but the plan has long been to lure in two midfielders this summer, and the Red Devils could be nearing a second.

They've been heavily linked with West Ham's Fernandes of late, after namesake Bruno Fernandes was said to have recommended him to the club months ago.

It's reported United are the strongest contenders to sign him after his relegation from the Premier League with the Hammers, despite interest from some other top clubs.

Indeed, their transfer committee are said to have 'accelerated talks' with Fernandes' representatives, with the player himself attracted to the opportunity to play Champions League football.

That's one offer at Old Trafford for the first time in a couple of years after Michael Carrick led the club to a third-placed Premier League finish.

Fernandes wants his future sorted soon

The report suggests 21-year-old Fernandes will look to sort out his future soon, while he'll potentially have the option of a few clubs to choose from.

Alongside United's strong pursuit, it's suggested he's being courted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, as well as each of Inter Milan, Napoli and Juventus.

The midfielder has the choice of essentially every top league, but it looks likeliest at the moment that he'll remain in England, where he scored three goals and assisted four in a very promising Premier League season with West Ham.

The midfielder does not have the impending World Cup standing in the way of any negotiations for his signature, as he was not selected by Portugal.

That should make his next move easier, but he'll want to have his feet under the table at a new club soon, as well as know what division he's playing in.

While he's in theory staring down the barrel of a Championship campaign, it seems very unlikely that he'll remain at West Ham this summer.

And for a fee of €50-60million (£43.2-51.9m) it will not be the most difficult signing in the world for whoever ends up with the Portuguese.