Manchester United have stepped things up in their pursuit of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, and sources indicate they’re willing to pay more than originally planned to get him.
According to transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, United have made new contact with the 21-year-old Portuguese international. They’re also preparing to sweeten their contractual offer. The idea is to make Fernandes feel wanted, and maybe make him think twice about what Tottenham is offering.
United also plan to sit down with West Ham and discuss a transfer fee. That’s the tricky part. Fernandes was one of the Hammers’ best players last season, even as the team struggled. He’s young, he’s creative, and he can actually control the tempo of a game. That’s something United’s midfield has lacked for a while now.
Fernandes can also defend. That matters more than ever in the Premier League. He’s not just a pretty passer. He works hard off the ball, which is why he’d fit nicely next to someone like Bruno Fernandes — his compatriot, by the way. Playing alongside him at Old Trafford, with Champions League football on the table? That’s a real pitch.
West Ham are heading to the Championship next season. Fernandes doesn’t want that. Staying in the top flight is priority one for him, and joining a club of United’s size is obviously tempting.
But Tottenham aren’t going away. Moretto says Spurs are pressing hard too. They need midfield help just as badly as United does. Both clubs see Fernandes as a guy who can grow into a top-class Premier League midfielder. He’s 21. He’s got time.
It’s going to come down to who makes the better pitch — and maybe the better financial offer. West Ham will want a good fee. They know what they’ve got. Fernandes is under contract, so they’re not in a hurry unless the money’s right.
United’s late push here is interesting. They’ve been linked with Fernandes for a while, but this feels more urgent. Maybe they’re worried Tottenham will close the deal first. Or maybe they’ve finally decided this is the guy they want to build around in the middle of the park.
Either way, Fernandes is the kind of signing that makes sense for both teams. He’s proven he can hang in the Premier League. He’s young enough to improve. And he’s got the kind of composure on the ball that doesn’t come around often.
We’ll see which club wins this one. But United just made it a real fight.
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