Arsenal could hijack a developing Manchester United move for a midfielder whose transfer value has doubled in just one year, according to reports.<\/p>\n
Our colleagues over on TEAMtalk brought news earlier on Thursday of Man Utd<\/strong><\/a> stepping up their pursuit of West Ham\u2019s Mateus Fernandes.<\/p>\n The 21-year-old Portugal international is on the Red Devils\u2019 transfer shortlist, with Man Utd intending to make not one but two major additions in central areas this summer.<\/p>\n Initial discussions with Fernandes\u2019 camp have taken place and the feedback Man Utd have received has been overwhelmingly positive<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Indeed, sources revealed Fernandes is \u2018extremely keen\u2019 on joining Man Utd where he would play Champions League football.<\/p>\n The chance to play alongside his idol and fellow Portuguese, Bruno Fernandes, also appeals greatly to the Hammers ace.<\/p>\n However, a fresh update from The Times<\/a> makes sobering reading for Man Utd, and it\u2019s thanks to Arsenal<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Arsenal want \u00a380m-rated Mateus Fernandes<\/strong><\/p>\n They revealed Mikel Arteta\u2019s champions-in-waiting are ready to swoop in and barge Man Utd aside.<\/p>\n The report\u2019s headline read: \u2018Mateus Fernandes wanted by Arsenal \u2013 and West Ham may have to sell.\u2019<\/p>\n West Ham<\/strong><\/a> are staring down the barrel of relegation and if dropping a division, they\u2019ll have to offload many of their best players to balance the books. Fernandes very much fits that billing.<\/p>\n The midfielder cost roughly \u00a340m when signed from Southampton one year ago, and in what has been a campaign of doom and gloom for the Hammers, he\u2019s been among the few bright sparks.<\/p>\n Accordingly, he\u2019s now understood to be valued around the \u00a380m mark by West Ham. Part of the reason for that sky high valuation stems from Southampton holding a 15 percent sell-on clause in the player\u2019s contract.<\/p>\n In any case, West Ham\u2019s bargaining position would be severely weakened if they do drop a division and clubs like Man Utd and Arsenal would no doubt attempt to negotiate a lower fee.<\/p>\n Mikel Arteta wants more technical options<\/strong><\/p>\n Explaining why Arsenal are zeroing in on the Man Utd target, the report noted Arteta wants to sign a more technical midfielder to take the place of Christian Norgaard.<\/p>\n The Dane was a surprise arrival last summer, though has featured for just 56 minutes in the Premier League this season.<\/p>\n MORE ARSENAL COVERAGE ON F365\u2026 It could be a case of one season and done at the Emirates, with the report stressing he\u2019d be the one sacrificed if Fernandes joins.<\/p>\n The defeat to Manchester City in the League Cup final, and more specifically the manner of the loss, has reportedly stuck with Arteta and his coaching staff.<\/p>\n Arsenal now want more of a finesse option to compliment Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi in the middle, and in Fernandes, they could also land a blow on Man Utd if sealing a deal too.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>* Arteta offers bleak outlook on Arsenal right-back problem \u2013 \u2018He has progressed a little bit\u2019<\/strong><\/a>
* Carrick and Arsenal trio up for Premier League season awards as 14 nominees announced<\/strong><\/a>
* Marcus Rashford to Arsenal as five transfer destinations emerge<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n