Manchester United are now increasingly confident of completing a deal to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes ahead of Arsenal, according to the Times.
Man United have been ramping up their interest in the Portugal international in recent weeks following the Hammers' relegation to the Championship, with Fabrizio Romano reporting in the last 24 hours that the Red Devils are preparing their first bid to the Londoners for the 21-year-old.
Fernandes would be the second piece of the jigsaw of United's summer midfield rebuild, with a full agreement already reached for Ederson to move to the Premier League from Serie A outfit Atalanta in a deal worth less than £40m.
The move is expected to be confirmed next month after the 26-year-old received a late call-up to Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup.
It may depend on the cost of the Fernandes deal, but some reports have also suggested that United could look at bringing in a third midfielder should Manuel Ugarte join Casemiro through the Old Trafford exit door, as is expected following a claim that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen to cash in on him.
Club chiefs have been linked with lower-cost options from the Championship like Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney and Shea Charles of Southampton.
Man United Set to Beat Arsenal to £80m Fernandes Deal
West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring Premier League goal against Sunderlandvia Reuters
According to the Times, Man United are increasingly confident of beating Premier League rivals Arsenal to the signature of Fernandes in a deal that could be worth up to £80m.
Fabrizio Romano had reported in recent days that West Ham value their 'elite' 21-year-old maestro at £85m, which would smash the previous Championship outgoing transfer record when Chelsea paid Southampton £53m to sign Romeo Lavia in 2024.
New Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has also shown an interest in bringing his Portuguese compatriot to the Bernabeu as one of his first signings, but the Times believe the player is on his way to Old Trafford to link up with Bruno Fernandes.
World Cup 2026 Quiz
You scored
↩ Play again
Man United Hold Positive Talks Over Left-Back Signing
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick looks on after Premier League win against Nottingham Forest
As well as their midfield rebuild, United are looking at strengthening other areas of the pitch too, including at left-back.
The suggestion is that Carrick sees Patrick Dorgu as more of a left wing option than a left-back option, which means that the club needs some competition for Luke Shaw at full-back.
The Red Devils had been linked with a move for Eintracht Frankfurt's Germany international Nathaniel Brown, but the youngster looks set to join Bayern Munich instead after United declined to get into a bidding war with the Bundesliga champions.
United do hold an interest in Newcastle United star Lewis Hall though, with reports suggesting they have already had positive contacts with the England international over a move.
In fact, the Magpies left-back is said to be keen to move to Old Trafford to further his career and to play Champions League football, after Eddie Howe's side missed out on European football altogether this season after a disappointing campaign.