Manchester United have been quietly working this one for months. And now, even with Tottenham trying to crash the party, they think they’ve got the inside track on West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes.
The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder is going to be one of the bigger dominoes to fall this summer. West Ham’s relegation to the Championship changes everything. The Hammers need to balance the books and rebuild a roster, which means their best assets are going to get shopped. Fernandes is at the top of that list.
According to Roundtable, United’s conversations with Fernandes’ representatives started well before the season ended. Those talks have gotten more serious in recent weeks, and the club’s belief has been consistent: the kid wants to be at Old Trafford. That stance reportedly hasn’t shifted even after Tottenham entered the picture with real interest.
And Tottenham’s interest isn’t just a courtesy call. talkSPORT reported that Roberto De Zerbi is pushing hard for Fernandes, seeing him as a way to add technical quality and energy to a Spurs midfield that could use both. They’re trying to hijack this thing.
But here’s where it gets tricky for Tottenham. Fernandes apparently has a preference, and that preference is United. When a player’s mind is made up, it takes a lot more than a competitive offer to flip him. Especially when the selling club is sitting on an £80 million valuation.
The Price Tag Is Steep but the Resume Justifies It
Sky Sports put that £80 million figure out there, and it’s a lot for a 21-year-old coming off a relegation season. But context matters. Fernandes has Premier League experience, he’s already earned a Portugal call-up, and his skill set fits what Michael Carrick seems to be building in midfield. He’s mobile, keeps his composure under pressure, and can carry the ball through traffic. That’s not easy to find.
What This Means for Both Sides
For United, Fernandes checks a lot of boxes. They’re reshaping the midfield, and with Manuel Ugarte’s future unclear, there’s room for a guy who can play multiple roles. Carrick wants guys who can think on the ball and handle the physical side. Fernandes does both.
For Tottenham, the path isn’t closed. If they move fast and put together a package that forces West Ham to say yes, they could still flip this. A strong offer early in the window changes the math. But if Fernandes is genuinely locked in on United, that’s a real advantage. Carrick’s side just has to get the deal done before Spurs make it impossible to ignore the money.
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