Manchester United have stepped up their interest in West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, the 21-year-old who only recently broke into Portugal's senior team. United passed on the chance to sign him from Southampton at the end of last season, but are now back in the picture as they look to strengthen in midfield this summer.
Fernandes was later signed by West Ham for £38million plus £4million in add-ons, and he has stood out this season even as the club has struggled. His rise has not gone unnoticed at Old Trafford, where Bruno Fernandes has recommended him to United after seeing him up close with Portugal, and Roberto Martinez has described his progress as incredible.
That makes the pursuit awkward for United, who had the same player on their radar when Southampton were relegated and let the chance pass. West Ham may also find it difficult to keep him if their form does not improve, even if they avoid relegation, because a player with Fernandes's age, price tag and momentum is already drawing attention beyond east London.
Fernandes has spoken openly about how much he has watched Bruno Fernandes, saying the Manchester United captain is his biggest role model right now because of the player he already is, and that he tries to learn from him. He added that Bruno stands out because he plays in the same league, has experience with Portugal and in the Premier League, and that he looked up to him while at Sporting. For United, that familiarity only adds to the appeal as the club weighs a midfield rebuild against a crowded list of targets that also includes Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Joao Gomes and Aurelien Tchouameni.
The question now is not whether Fernandes has made himself visible enough for a bigger move. It is whether United move quickly enough to make up for the decision they already passed on once.
