Manchester United are reportedly preparing to go all-in on Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with transfer insider Fabrizio Romano claiming the Red Devils are already deep in discussions with the player’s camp. The move comes after United abruptly walked away from a staggering £130 million price tag for Elliot Anderson, leaving fans and pundits wondering what INEOS’s next big swing would be.
According to Romano, United have made “official contact” with Fernandes’s agents and are now working behind the scenes to structure a formal bid for West Ham’s 21-year-old sensation. With the Hammers suffering relegation to the Championship, sources close to the situation suggest the club is bracing for a fire sale — and Fernandes is the crown jewel they expect to cash in on.
Why This Deal Could Shake Up the Entire Summer Window
The stakes couldn’t be higher. West Ham are reportedly holding out for a massive £85 million fee — nearly double the £38 million (plus add-ons) they shelled out for Fernandes just last year. But with United’s midfield looking thin and the Portuguese star reportedly eager to make the leap to a top Premier League side, insiders claim the Red Devils are confident they can get this done.
“There’s a sense of urgency at Old Trafford right now,” one source with knowledge of the negotiations told us. “They missed out on their top target, and they don’t want to be left empty-handed again. Fernandes fits the profile — young, hungry, and ready to prove himself at the highest level.”
Real Madrid and Arsenal Lurking — It’s Getting Messy
But United aren’t the only ones circling. According to reports, Real Madrid have also made contact with Fernandes’s representatives, while Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring the situation closely. That’s a lot of heavy hitters for a player who’s only had one full season in English football — but his performances for a doomed West Ham side have clearly turned heads.
Journalist Ben Jacobs added fuel to the fire this week, writing that “movement is expected” on Fernandes’s future before the month is out. He noted that United are already in talks on the player side, but warned that the competition is fierce. “PSG and Arsenal also hold appreciation. Real Madrid the latest suitor to make contact,” Jacobs posted. “West Ham want double what they paid, but a sale is expected.”
The drama is far from over. With United reportedly unwilling to get into a bidding war for Anderson, all eyes are now on whether they’ll go toe-to-toe with European giants for Fernandes. If Romano’s intel is accurate — and it usually is — we could see a formal bid land on West Ham’s desk within days.
For now, Old Trafford insiders are buzzing with cautious optimism. But in a transfer market that’s already thrown curveballs, nothing is certain until the papers are signed.
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