Manchester United have made a fresh approach for Mateus Fernandes and are ready to improve their contract offer to beat Tottenham in the race for the West Ham United star.
Fernandes, 21, is expected to leave West Ham this summer following their relegation from the Premier League with the Hammers demanding a fee of £80million for their prized asset.
Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have explored a move but United have emerged as front runners.
Tottenham however entered the fray in recent weeks and were reported to have reached a verbal agreement to sign the Portuguese midfielder with a huge salary offer.
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United have not backed away however with respected United journalist Andy Mitten reporting that while he is willing to join Spurs, his preference is still a move to Old Trafford.
In response to Tottenham trying to blow them out of the water with a big offer, United have made fresh contact with Fernandes’ representatives.
Transfer journalist Matteo Moretto reports the Red Devils have signalled their intention to improve their contractual offer with hope of convincing him to sign.
Their next move will be to open direct talks with West Ham. United, however, are reluctant to meet West Ham’s £80m valuation of Fernandes, who was signed from Southampton for £38m plus £4m in add-ons a year ago.
United want to sign at least two midfielders this summer having already agreed a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta.
They had planned on bringing in a third in the event of Manuel Ugarte leaving the club after two underwhelming seasons in Manchester after joining from Paris Saint-Germain.
But the Uruguay international could now be facing a lengthy layoff after suffering a knee injury in the defeat to Spain on Friday night.
The situation may heighten United’s need to sign a third midfielder this summer with Kobbie Mainoo their only recognised centre-half following Casemiro’s departure.