Manchester United has made West Ham's Mateus Fernandes a top priority target as the club looks to revamp its midfield ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. The Portuguese midfielder is highly sought after, and United is determined to secure his services. Negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing, with personal terms not being an issue between the player and Manchester United. Fernandes is understood to favor a move to Old Trafford, where the prospect of Champions League football is a significant draw.
The main obstacle in the deal is the club-to-club negotiations, with West Ham demanding a hefty £85 million for their prized asset following relegation to the Championship. While Manchester United's initial bids are expected to fall short of this valuation, the club views the deal as a major priority. Internal figures at United believe that securing Fernandes is crucial, and they are willing to work to make the deal happen.
However, Manchester United faces strong competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who are also eager to sign Fernandes. Spurs, under the new management of Roberto De Zerbi, are willing to meet West Ham's £85 million asking price and can offer competitive wage packages to tempt the player. Tottenham's hierarchy has made building a dynamic midfield a top summer objective, and they are actively pursuing Fernandes.
Despite Tottenham's interest, reports suggest that Fernandes prefers a move to Manchester United over Spurs. The lack of elite European football at Tottenham could work against them, given their poor league performances in recent years. While Spurs remain in the mix and are applying pressure, Manchester United believes it holds the ultimate leverage due to Fernandes' clear preference to play for the club next season.
