West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes is in talks to join Real Madrid ahead of Manchester United, according to reports in Spain.
Fernandes is set to leave West Ham this summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League and is not short of options ahead of the new season.
United have already begun negotiations over a deal for Fernandes, while Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have also expressed an interest in the 21-year-old.
West Ham, however, are demanding an £80 million transfer fee for Fernandes, who they signed from Southampton for £38m plus £4m in add-ons last year.
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According to AS, Jose Mourinho has made the signing of Fernandes one of his ‘priorities’ after returning to Real Madrid as head coach and has ‘complete confidence’ that the West Ham midfielder can make an immediate impact at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The report adds that Jorge Mendes, who represents both Mourinho and Fernandes, ‘is already working on a deal’ to bring the West Ham midfielder to Madrid.
Mourinho is also keen for Madrid to sign Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, who has attracted interest from both United and Arsenal.
United, meanwhile, have already agreed a £35m deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta.
However, the 26-year-old’s arrival at Old Trafford will be delayed after he received a late call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad.
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