Manchester United looked to have Mateus Fernandes’ signature in the bag this summer, but new developments cast doubt over the move.
After Manchester United agreed to sign Ederson, the deal to make Mateus Fernandes the next summer addition felt quite easy to complete.
Bruno Fernandes has endorsed his compatriot, and United are huge fans of him. Fernandes is also desperate for the United move, and it felt inevitable despite the steep £85m demands being reported.
That was until Tottenham joined the race for Fernandes, which has complicated things slightly.
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Spurs are closing in on Mateus Fernandes personal terms agreement
Obviously, if given a choice between United and Tottenham, there wouldn’t even be a debate. He has prioritised the Old Trafford switch over clubs ten times as attractive as Spurs.
But with United hesitating over the price and not making a serious move to sign him, Spurs are looking to slip in and sign the 21-year-old.
Now, according to journalist Matteo Moretto, Fernandes is actually considering Spurs.
This could be because of disillusionment over whether United are actually going to make a move, but the report says Spurs are pushing to reach an agreement on personal terms with Fernandes.
Fernandes is ‘ready to play’ for Spurs, which indicates he is open to the move, while United’s slow acting could prove fatal.
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While we don’t doubt that Fernandes is on Spurs’ list, the idea he would choose to play there is ludicrous when considering the other sides rivalling United.
But there is a strong chance that these rumours are more designed to accelerate United’s efforts and push Ineos into paying what West Ham want.
We saw this with Bryan Mbeumo last summer, with Spurs linked with him only for a deal to be agreed with United not long after.
United should still comfortably complete this transfer, but the Spurs links are a reminder that Ineos need to go ahead and complete the deal sooner rather than later.
We are just a few weeks from pre-season, so Ineos need to get a move on and sign Michael Carrick, the top midfielder he was no doubt promised, before it is too late.
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