Manchester United are ready to make their move to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, according to Fabrizio Romano.
United are in the market for central midfielder signings this summer, with Ederson the first name through the door in a £38million deal from Atalanta.
Manager Michael Carrick wants to bring in more than one in the position, however, following the departure of Casemiro at the end of his contract and the lack of trust in Manuel Ugarte, whom United are willing to listen to offers for.
Man Utd do not want to battle Man City for Anderson
Elliot Anderson waves to the Nottingham Forest fans
Elliot Anderson waves to the Nottingham Forest fans
United have been linked with a number of big-name signings in midfield, with Elliot Anderson understood to be their number one priority. However, they are not willing to break the bank for the Nottingham Forest man, nor enter into a bidding war with Manchester City, who have already had a £105million bid rejected by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
That will see them look elsewhere for signings and Fernandes emerged late on in the 2025/26 season as a potential United deal. With West Ham being relegated to the Championship on the final day of the season too, it looked like one Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the United hierarchy could get done.
However, the Hammers have stuck by their £85million price tag, meaning United will have to pay up.
The Red Devils have been in talks with the player and his representatives over a move to Old Trafford for some time now, and it appears that United are ready to go to the Hammers officially with a bid to sign the 21-year-old 'superstar'.
Man Utd ready to make their move for Fernandes
West Ham United Midfielder Mateus Fernandes in Premier League Actionvia Reuters
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: "Manchester United are in official contact with the agent of the player. Manchester United have already started the conversation with the agent to start preparing a bid to West Ham, so Man United are for sure in conversations with Mateus Fernandes."
West Ham only signed Fernandes in a £38million deal from Southampton a year ago, with the 21-year-old unwilling to play in England's second tier after the Saints slipped through the Premier League trapdoor.
His feelings are likely to be the same this time around and according to journalist Shaun Connolly, Fernandes has made it clear that his preference is to make the move to Old Trafford this summer.
Fernandes started all but one of West Ham's Premier League matches he was available for this season after making the move from St Mary's, having played three times for Southampton in the Championship.
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Carrick is already said to have drawn up a list of midfield targets this summer