Imagine Him and Bruno: Man Utd Preparing Bid to Sign Mateus Fernandes

James joined Football FanCast in 2016 following a three-year spell working for Shoot Magazine, working his way up from freelance writer to editor, before moving across to GMS in 2020.

James has created exclusive, opinion and news content on GIVEMESPORT, with a predominant focus on the Premier League.

He has also developed strong working relationships with top tier journalists such as Fabrizio Romano, Dharmesh Sheth and Ben Jacobs, regularly chatting to them as part of an exclusives initiative. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account Manchester United have been predicted to be the busiest Premier League club in the summer transfer window by journalist David Ornstein, and they are lining up a bid for their second signing after securing Ederson on a long-term deal.

With Man United already confirming the exit of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte likely to leave too, Red Devils chiefs have made transforming the club's midfield their main transfer priority when the window officially opens today.

Ederson is seen as the first piece of the jigsaw puzzle, with the tenacious Brazilian offering traits that should complement Kobbie Mainoo in the centre.

United are far from done there when it comes to making changes to their engine room, with up to two more signings expected in the position should Ugarte seal an Old Trafford exit.

They have been linked with a whole host of midfielders in recent weeks, including Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, Lens' Mamadou Sangare as well as many English-based players.

Brighton and Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba and Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali have been mentioned, while they have also been reported to be looking at two Championship starts in Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough and Southampton's Shea Charles.

It is another Premier League midfielder they are getting serious about though.

While Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson was considered as United's number one midfield target for many weeks, the club is now said to have turned their attentions to signing West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes instead.

United's bid to sign Anderson hit two huge hurdles early on, with the player preferring a move to Manchester City, as well as Forest's huge asking price for the player.

City have already had a bid worth a total of £120m rejected by their Premier League rivals, who clearly mean business in their bid to keep the England international at the City Ground.

United are now focusing on Fernandes following the Hammers' relegation to the Championship, and they are preparing a bid for a player valued at around £80m by the recently-relegated club, according to Sky Sports.

If reports are to be believed, then Mateus Fernandes would love to play with Portuguese compatriot Bruno at Old Trafford, and the feeling is mutual.

The United captain is said to have recommended the 21-year-old to club chiefs too, and suggests they would already have a strong relationship on the field.

We know that Bruno is an assist king after he broke the Premier League record this season, and Fernandes can offer a lot in the number eight position given what we've seen from him for West Ham and Southampton previously.

Fernandes has shown that he is an all-round midfielder who has tenacity, but is also impressive technically too.

His ability on the ball and arriving late in the box is a great midfield habit to have, while one former head of analysis has lauded him for his ability to play 'killer' passes from deep in his own half.

The thought of the two linking up together is a mouthwatering prospect, and it could happen sooner rather than later.

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