Tottenham might have just caught a break in the transfer market. Manchester United, who looked like the frontrunner for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, are reportedly getting cold feet over the asking price.
West Ham wants £80 million for the 21-year-old Portugal international. And United? They think that’s way too rich for their blood, according to iNews. The club is now considering Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as a cheaper alternative instead.
This is a twist that could reshape the summer window for a few clubs. Fernandes spent the last season lighting it up for West Ham, but the Hammers are stuck in the Championship next year. Nobody expects him to hang around for that. He’s too good, and he knows it.
The kid can play. He’s technical, has a sharp eye for a pass, and already looks comfortable at the Premier League level. United absolutely needs midfield help with Casemiro likely heading out the door. So on paper, this seems like a no-brainer for them.
A preference for Old Trafford that might not matter
According to journalist Andy Mitten on the Talk of the Devils podcast, Fernandes would pick United if given the choice. That’s the word on the street. But Mitten also noted that the young midfielder is open to joining Spurs if the United move falls apart.
So here’s the thing. Tottenham needs a midfielder too, and they’re sitting there watching this thing stall out. If United bails, Spurs could step in without having to fight off a rival who’s been the player’s first choice. That’s not nothing.
United’s expensive history is making them cautious
You can’t really blame United for hesitating. They’ve been burned before. Big time. Angel Di Maria, Paul Pogba, Antony, Jadon Sancho — that’s a lot of money that didn’t work out. The post-Ferguson era has been a graveyard of huge transfers that should have worked but didn’t.
Is Fernandes an £80 million player right now? Debatable. Probably not yet. But the market is what it is. Nottingham Forest just got £116 million from Manchester City for Elliot Anderson, according to BBC Sport. So the bar is set pretty high for any young midfielder with potential.
For Tottenham, the math is different. They don’t have to pay the premium that comes with being Manchester United in a bidding war. If Fernandes really wants out of West Ham and United won’t meet the price, Spurs could get a quality player at a number that makes more sense for them.
The next few weeks will tell the story. Right now, it looks like United is walking. And that could be exactly what Tottenham needed to hear.
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