Bruno Fernandes recommends a successor to Manchester United! Even if relegated, he could be sold for £60 million, still cheaper than Palmer.

Manchester United may consider signing Mateus Fernandes this summer, especially if West Ham United ultimately face relegation, presenting a prime opportunity to acquire this 21-year-old Portuguese rising national team star. English media reports indicate that the Red Devils have been monitoring M. Fernandes since January, having already initiated preliminary contact with the "Hammers" during the winter transfer window.

M. Fernandes is the type of versatile midfielder currently favored in the Premier League, possessing excellent ball control and passing vision. United scouts observed his performances in West Ham's matches against Bournemouth, Liverpool, and Fulham, providing positive reports on the Portuguese youngster. United will continue to monitor his performances weekly until the season concludes.

West Ham initially spent £40 million, including potential add-ons, to acquire M. Fernandes from Southampton, and he has also attracted attention from top clubs like Arsenal and Manchester City. Therefore, even if the team is relegated, West Ham would demand a price around £60 million for M. Fernandes.

This price is not low, but compared to another rumored successor for Bruno Fernandes—Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer priced at £150 million—it is naturally much cheaper.

The British "The Sun" reports that Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will recommend M. Fernandes to the club as his future successor. Bruno Fernandes is already 32, and his future at Old Trafford has been subject to ongoing speculation. The two Fernandes recently played together for the Portuguese national team, with M. Fernandes making his international debut and completing his first appearance for the country.

During the international break, M. Fernandes publicly praised Bruno Fernandes, stating he is an idol for himself and all the youngsters at the Sporting CP academy. While playing in the Premier League, both at Southampton and West Ham, M. Fernandes has consistently worn the number 18 shirt, identical to Bruno Fernandes when he first joined Manchester United.

"Because of Bruno Fernandes' characteristics, this isn't something new. Even when I was at Sporting CP, he was someone I watched and tried to learn from," M. Fernandes explained. "He and I are similar types of players, and he has extensive experience with the national team and in the Premier League. Without doubt, Bruno stands out prominently among midfielders in our national team."

An attacking midfielder is not Manchester United's primary transfer target this summer; a defensive midfielder is. The Red Devils will spend at least £80 million to acquire a successor for Casemiro, possibly £90 million or even £100 million, hence they may not necessarily have additional funds for new signings in other positions.

However, if M. Fernandes can be secured at an ideal price, Sir Jim Ratcliffe might make an exception. Should West Ham drop into the Championship, they would lose over £100 million in Premier League participation bonuses, forcing them to sell many key players. Nonetheless, there will certainly be several Premier League clubs interested in M. Fernandes.

Manchester City, the other powerhouse in Manchester, is among them, posing as United's biggest rival in the pursuit of midfield talent. City's sporting director Hugo Viana, who brought him into Sporting CP and gave him his first professional contract, reportedly highly admires M. Fernandes and might sign him as a successor for Bernardo Silva. Silva's contract expires this summer, and he will leave as a free agent, ending his nine-year tenure at City.

Bruno Fernandes has one year remaining on his contract with Manchester United, plus an option for an additional season, and he will decide his future after the World Cup. It is widely believed that his outstanding performances this season have prompted the club to strongly urge him to stay. This week, Bruno Fernandes won the Premier League Player of the Month award for March, matching the award tally of his Portuguese compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo with six wins.

However, despite achieving this personal milestone, Bruno Fernandes remains far behind Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of team honors. Bruno Fernandes also told Manchester United's official website that one moment involving Cristiano Ronaldo left a deep impression on him, unforgettable to this day. "Cristiano Ronaldo's situation is simple; everyone looks up to him," Bruno Fernandes said. "Especially on his first day back at United, scoring two goals in a match, it seemed like he never left."

That occurred during the closure of the 2021 summer transfer window, in Cristiano Ronaldo's second debut for Manchester United, where he scored twice at Old Trafford in a 4-1 victory over Newcastle United. Bruno Fernandes recalled: "The atmosphere in the stadium that day was incredibly frenzied; even now, recalling it still gives me goosebumps."

Although Cristiano Ronaldo's second stint with Manchester United ultimately ended in a contentious split, Bruno Fernandes still insists that the beautiful memories brought by that return will never be forgotten. Bruno Fernandes also hopes that the connection between Old Trafford and Portuguese players can be carried forward.