Man Utd are stuck in an uncomfortable chase for Mateus Fernandes, but their confidence in another Premier League star is increasing.
Tottenham’s entry into the equation, coupled with West Ham’s stubborn stance, has led to Man Utd getting dragged into a saga for Mateus Fernandes.
As it stands, Michael Carrick will start pre-season without a new signing at Carrington, prompting worry from Man Utd fans.
That worry could be soothed as the club are growing increasingly confident about prising away another Premier League star.
Should Man Utd walk away from the Mateus Fernandes deal if West Ham refuse to lower their asking price? 🤔
West Ham are sticking to their £85m demands for Mateus Fernandes
Man Utd get Alex Scott transfer update
Once United ruled themselves out of the race to sign Elliot Anderson, their attention pivoted to the Premier League pair of Fernandes and Alex Scott.
Now that Fernandes has become a saga, United might want to wrap up the Scott deal early, since the player is in the last two years of his contract.
Bournemouth want to extend, but Scott will have seen how selling clubs hold players to ransom now, so he’s refusing to sign an extension.
That leaves the door open for United to do a deal that should cost much less than the fees being parroted about for Fernandes.
The Daily Mail reports that United are now growing “increasingly confident” of prising away Scott from Bournemouth.
A deal for Scott could also make negotiating with West Ham for Fernandes easier, as United can do so from a position of strength, also resetting the market that has gone mad after Elliot Anderson’s move.
Man Utd face a rival in Scott chase
The report also states that United’s confidence is also felt by reigning champions Arsenal, who are in the race to sign Scott.
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Like United, Arsenal are also in the market for a midfielder, having recently seen a bid rejected for former Man Utd target, Bruno Guimaraes.
After failing to sign Guimaraes, Arsenal are in the same “Premier League-proven” market for a midfielder, so United have a war on their hands here as well.
They will take confidence from the fact that Arsenal were beaten to the punch for Fernandes as well, before Spurs took centre stage and offered West Ham and the player a blank cheque.
They need to do so again, and sign Scott to kick off their summer rebuild properly.
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