Gary Neville backs Manchester United to sign ‘outstanding’ World Cup star ahead of Mateus Fernandes

Gary Neville says Felix Nmecha has been ‘outstanding’ for Germany at the World Cup (ITV)

Gary Neville has urged Manchester United to target Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha as a potential alternative to West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes.

United have already agreed a £35 million deal to sign Brazil international Ederson from Atalanta but Michael Carrick is keen to add another midfielder to his squad in the summer transfer window.

An approach has been made to West Ham for Fernandes but United are not prepared to pay the Championship club’s £80m asking price.

Nmecha, meanwhile, has been with Borussia Dortmund for the last three seasons and has impressed in Germany’s midfield in their wins over Curacao and Ivory Coast at the World Cup this summer.

The 25-year-old, who began his career at Manchester City and made three first-team appearances before moving to the Bundesliga, still has four years remaining on his contract with Dortmund, while a €80m (£69.3m) release clause will not be active until next year.

But Neville believes United could turn their attention to Nmecha if West Ham maintain their hefty asking price for Fernandes.

Felix Nmecha impressed again as Germany beat Ivory Coast on Saturday (Anadolu via Getty)

‘The more he plays like he did the other night the more expensive he’ll get,’ Neville told ITV

‘But at the moment, we hear Manchester United are being quoted £100 million for the West Ham boy Fernandes, so they’re going to have to be looking around this tournament and parts of Europe.

‘He looked outstanding the other night, it looked like he had absolutely everything.’

West Ham are demanding an £80m fee from Manchester United for Mateus Fernandes (PA Wire)

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright added: ‘When you look at him he breaks lines, he gets into the box, he’s got Kimmich to come in and fill in for him,

‘He can play as a No.8 or No.10, we can see he can finish, you can see why teams are interested in him. He’s got everything.’

Meanwhile, former Everton and Newcastle United striker Duncan Ferguson said: ‘He’s a very good player, a young player, he’s got a very good right foot, he’s athletic, he can get around the pitch,

‘It looks like he can get in the box, he can defend, he’s a good size, he’s young, you can see why people are after him.’

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