Mateus Fernandes: Man United told West Ham will accept cut-price offer

Mateus Fernandes is growing increasingly likely to leave West Ham United this summer amid interest from Manchester United.

The Hammers are reluctant to lose the Portgual international, but fear they may be forced to sell following their relegation from the Premier League.

Southampton faced a similar issue last summer, when West Ham capitalised as the midfielder was not keen to play in the Championship with the Saints.

Now, former West Ham scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that the Hammers will reduce Fernandes' asking price closer to the end of the transfer window.

They are currently aiming to deter interest from the likes of Man United by placing a lofty asking price on his head, but their resolve will be tested later in the summer.

What are West Ham demanding to sell Mateus Fernandes?

Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that West Ham value Fernandes at around £84million, double the fee they paid Southampton one year ago.

His performances under Nuno Espirito Santo have attracted high-profile interest from across Europe, and the Hammers may be resigned to losing him this summer.

However, that asking price is expected to drop as the window drags on, witg Man United among those keeping a close eye on his situation.

"It's going to be hard for West Ham to keep Fernandes," Brown told Football Insider.

"Ideally for them, they would keep hold of him and he'd be a huge part of the team that gets them back up into the Premier League.

"But it's not as easy at that, it's extremely difficult when clubs get relegated and more often than not they're forced to let them go because they can't afford to keep them.

"I'm told they've set a big price tag on Fernandes, but it's sticking to that price tag that's going to be a problem. He's not going to want to stick around in the Championship.

"He was one of their best players in the Premier League and by all accounts did a very good job, so there's going to be top-level interest.

"As the window goes on and it becomes clear he wants to move on, that price tag is going to drop, and a club like Man United could look to take advantage of that.

"United are certainly among his admirers, so they'll be keeping an eye on his situation and could make a move if a deal becomes realistic."

Which other clubs are interested in signing Fernandes?

Man United are far from the only club interested in signing Fernandes, with elite clubs across Europe having been watching his perfomances at the London Stadium.

The likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have been linked with moves for the Portugal international, who will head to the World Cup this month.

Brown told Football Insider in April that Man City have joined the race for Fernandes and have been keeping a close eye on his performances this season.

City are set to undergo major changes following Pep Guardiola's exit, with additions in midfield believed to be at the top of their list of priorities.

Elliot Anderson is their top target for the position, but as Nottingham Forest continue to stand by their lofty asking price, Fernandes could be an alternative.