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Manchester United are stepping up their pursuit of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to reports.
ESPN claim that the Red Devils are currently wrapping up a deal for Atalanta’s Ederson, but they have “already made contact” with the Hammers as they try to secure their second signing of the summer.
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Fernandes is expected to leave the London Stadium over the coming weeks, but the level of interest in the player means that Nuno Espirito Santo’s side shouldn’t need to offload him for a low fee.
The BBC have revealed that Arsenal have also discussed making a move for the Portuguese international. Other outlets have named Manchester City, Aston Villa and Newcastle as potential suitors.
West Ham want £80m for the midfielder
There have been suggestions that Man Utd may make a lowball offer of around £40m for Fernandes as they are aware that the Irons need to raise cash urgently to balance the books following their relegation to the Championship.
However, such a bid is expected to get short shrift due to the high level of interest in the player. There is confidence that Fernandes could fetch double that amount.
Whether that is brinkmanship, we shall have to wait and see, but there is next to no chance that Fernandes will leave for less than the £42m he was signed for last year.
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Fernandes is expected to lead a player exodus
Several of the players who started the final game of the season against Leeds are unlikely to still be at West Ham by the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
In addition to Fernandes, the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf are attracting other teams. There is uncertainty over the future of captain Jarrod Bowen too, but despite rumours, it is not guaranteed that he will move this summer.
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