Arsenal Join Man Utd in Race for West Ham Star Mateus Fernandes as PSG Consider Swoop
Ben McAleer
Arsenal are ready to rival Manchester United in the race to sign West Ham star Mateus Fernandes this summer, reports The Times.
Fernandes, who only joined from Southampton last summer, has been a driving force for the Hammers in their bid to beat the drop and his performances in the capital have caught the attention of the Premier League giants.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain have also been courting the Portugal international, who is expected to leave the London Stadium at the end of the season no matter the outcome of West Ham’s quest to beat the drop.
Both Arsenal and United are aiming to bolster their respective midfields in the off-season with Fernandes viewed as a ready-made addition with scope for improvement.
Arsenal enter race for Fernandes
The Gunners may have bolstered in the middle of the park last year, bringing in Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard from Real Sociedad and Brentford, respectively, but are keen to build upon a successful campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s side are willing to sanction Norgaard’s departure, the Dane having struggled for game time since his arrival from the Bees.
In addition, Fernandes is able to carry out a number of midfield roles, and this versatility is an appealing trait for Arteta.
Midfield is a priority for United
United, too, are looking to strengthen a key area with Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte set to depart Old Trafford.
Casemiro will leave at the end of the season once his contract expires, and will play his final home game for the Manchester giants this weekend when United host Nottingham Forest.
Ugarte, meanwhile, has struggled to nail down a regular spot in the United starting XI and the Uruguayan is expected to be deemed surplus to requirements this summer.
United have been linked with a host of central midfielders this summer, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Adam Wharton among those on the club's radar.
Battle to beat the drop set to go to the wire
West Ham are striving to stave off relegation but come into the penultimate gameweek of the Premier League in 18th place, two points off safety ahead of Sunday’s trip to Newcastle following their dramatic 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend.
Victory over the Magpies would see West Ham leapfrog Tottenham into 17th, with Spurs not in action again until Tuesday when they make the short trip across the capital to take on rivals Chelsea.
Spurs then welcome Everton for their final game of the season, while the Hammers face Leeds at the London Stadium as the pair battle to consolidate their Premier League spot.
