[Manchester United remain confident of securing a summer transfer for West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, despite competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur](https://theatre-of-red.com/man-united-retain-confidence-in-securing-mateus-fernandes/).
The 21-year-old, widely expected to leave the London Stadium, has emerged as a top target for the Old Trafford recruitment team as they look to rebuild their midfield under Michael Carrick.
While Tottenham have recently outlined a contract framework with Fernandes’ representatives, Manchester United hold key advantages that keep them as frontrunners for the transfer.
Fernandes has made it clear he prefers a move to Old Trafford over Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, attracted by the immediate guarantee of European football.
Adding to United’s appeal is a strong emotional factor—Fernandes idolises club captain Bruno Fernandes and is eager to play alongside his compatriot in the northwest.
Direct club-to-club discussions are ongoing as Manchester United work to agree a fee with West Ham. Following their relegation to the Championship, the Hammers are holding out for a hefty £85 million fee, keen to maximise value on an asset they signed for £40 million last summer.
United are unwilling to go that high, targeting a deal around £65 million and relying on West Ham’s intense financial pressure to generate around £150 million in player sales this summer.
Fernandes enjoyed a standout individual campaign in the top flight despite West Ham’s collective struggles, earning widespread praise across Europe for his press resistance, tenacious tackling, and ball-carrying ability.
Carrick views the versatile deep-lying playmaker as the ideal partner for Kobbie Mainoo. With personal terms already broadly agreed between United and Fernandes’ representatives, the final phase of the transfer depends on United bridging the current valuation gap.