Manchester United’s interest in West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes has already been well established in the Portuguese media, and the Red Devils may now have another major rival to worry about: Liverpool.
Over recent months, reports in Portugal have repeatedly linked the 21-year-old with a move to Old Trafford. Manchester City have also been credited with interest.
He was one of the few bright spots in a difficult season for the Hammers. He established himself as a regular starter.
But now West Ham face a very different challenge. Of course the club are expected to consider major sales as they prepare for life in the second tier.
Fernandes is widely viewed as one of their most valuable assets. According to the Portuguese press, a departure is increasingly likely – contrary to what had been reported in past months.
Liverpool enter the picture
The latest update comes from A Bola. They claim Liverpool have now joined Manchester United in the race for the midfielder.
According to the newspaper, both Liverpool and Manchester United have been closely monitoring Fernandes for around two years.
United are said to be slightly ahead at this stage. The report claims Michael Carrick wants substantial changes in midfield and sees Fernandes as one of the players capable of helping reshape that area of the squad.
Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte have both been linked with exits. United have reportedly already secured a deal for Atalanta’s Ederson. But Fernandes is presented as another serious target.
Liverpool, however, remain very attentive to the situation and could move if United fail to make progress.
The report also recalls admiration for the player at Anfield. Liverpool legend Jan Molby previously described Fernandes as “an exceptional footballer who has everything.”
For now, though, A Bola stress there have been no formal contacts between the clubs and West Ham.
West Ham name their price
The biggest hurdle could be the valuation. West Ham are willing to cash in on Fernandes as they look to balance the books following relegation, but they have no intention of selling cheaply.
According to A Bola, the London club want a fee close to £68.3m (€80m). That figure is significantly higher than Manchester United’s current valuation. The newspaper claims the Old Trafford side do not want to go beyond roughly £47m (€55m).
Whether Liverpool would be prepared to get closer to West Ham’s demands remains unclear.
Keep in mind that Sporting sold him to Southampton in 2024 for around £12.8m (€15m), plus potential bonuses. After Southampton’s relegation, West Ham paid approximately £37.6m (€44m) to sign him.
So a sale close to £68.3m (€80m) would represent a remarkable profit in little more than a year.
Sporting waiting for another windfall
A second report from A Bola highlights another club with a financial interest in the outcome.
Sporting are entitled to money through FIFA’s solidarity mechanism thanks to Fernandes spending eight years in the Lisbon club’s academy.
The newspaper calculates that a transfer worth around £75.1m (€88m) would generate approximately £2.6m (€3.08m) for Sporting.
The Portuguese club already benefited from Southampton’s sale to West Ham. They received around £3.6m (€4.25m) through clauses negotiated when Fernandes first left.
For now, Manchester United remain heavily linked, Manchester City continue to lurk in the background and Liverpool have entered the conversation.
The bigger question may be whether any of them are prepared to meet West Ham’s asking price as the club look for funds ahead of a Championship campaign.