Manchester United have moved to the front of the line for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, and they might be the only club willing to meet the asking price right now.
According to Football Transfers, United are further along in negotiations than anyone else for the 21-year-old Portuguese international. West Ham wants €90 million — roughly £75 million — and so far no one else has stepped up with that kind of money.
Fernandes was one of the few bright spots for West Ham last season even as the club dropped out of the Premier League. He’s young, he’s technical, and he showed he can handle the physical side of English football. For a United midfield that lost Casemiro and still lacks a proper defensive presence, he fits a clear need.
What Fernandes brings to the table
He’s not a pure destroyer, but he reads the game well and covers ground. United already signed Ederson Dos Santos this window, another Brazilian midfielder, but that doesn’t solve the deeper issue. They still need someone who can sit in front of the back four and break up play. Fernandes can do that while also carrying the ball forward, which gives Ruben Amorim some flexibility.
The big question is whether United actually pays the full €90 million. They’ve been burned on big-money signings before. But Fernandes is 21, already proven in the Premier League, and the market for midfielders with his profile isn’t cheap. If they drag their feet, someone else might jump in.
Spurs and Arsenal are lurking
Tottenham is monitoring the situation but they’re currently focused on Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. That could open the door for United to move quickly if they want to avoid a bidding war. Arsenal has also been linked but hasn’t made a serious push yet, at least not publicly.
West Ham doesn’t have to sell, but with the club now in the Championship, holding onto a player of Fernandes’ value gets harder every week. If United comes close to that €90 million figure, the deal probably gets done.
Fernandes himself is reportedly eager to sort out his future soon. He wants Champions League football next season, and United can offer that. Tottenham can’t. Arsenal might, but they’d have to clear midfield space first.
This one feels like it comes down to whether United blinks first on the fee. If they do, Fernandes is probably wearing a red shirt next season. If not, this could drag into August.
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