Gary Neville would rather see Manchester United pursue a deal for Felix Nmecha over Mateus Fernandes this summer.
Currently, the Red Devils have set their sights on West Ham’s midfield starlet after conceding that first-choice Elliot Anderson is Manchester City-bound.
Mateus Fernandes to United: What’s the latest?
The Irons are demanding a fee in the region of £80-85 million for Fernandes, whom they agreed a £42m deal for in the aftermath of Southampton’s relegation last year.
West Ham falling victim to the dreaded drop last month means the 21-year-old is now poised to be on the move once again, as he looks to seal a return to the top flight ahead of 2026/2027.
United’s chances of signing Fernandes took a hit over the weekend after it was revealed that Tottenham Hotspur had not only entered the race, but had made it clear to the Hammers that they would be willing to meet his price tag.
Nmecha catching eyes after flying World Cup start
Yet, if it were up to Neville, he’d abandon pursuit entirely.
He’s been left so impressed with Nmecha’s displays for Germany that he wants United to enter the fray for his signature.
The Borussia Dortmund star, who joined in a £26m switch from Wolfsburg in 2023, has been pulling the strings for his nation on football’s biggest stage over the last fortnight, returning a goal and two assists in Germany’s two group-stage wins thus far.
Lift off for Germany in Houston 🚀
Felix Nmecha with a quality finish! pic.twitter.com/UvtQoAWWxu
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 14, 2026
Even prior to his World Cup call-up, United had been credited with interest (BILD via ESPN) in the 25-year-old.
Appearances Goals Assists
112 13 8
Nmecha’s complete record for Dortmund
It’s thought United could indeed challenge a host of other suitors for Nmecha in the coming weeks, presumably when his international duties have concluded.
What are the pundits saying abou Nmecha?
Weighing in on the situation on ITV, Neville said (as cited by UtdDistrict): “The more he (Nmecha) plays like he did the other night, the more expensive he’ll get.
“But at the moment, we hear Manchester United are being quoted £100 million for the West Ham boy Fernandes, so they’re going to have to be looking around this tournament and parts of Europe.
“He [Nmecha] looked outstanding the other night. It looked like he had absolutely everything.”
Ian Wright was in complete agreement, adding: “When you look at him, he breaks lines, he gets into the box, he’s got [Joshua] Kimmich to come in and fill in for him.
“He can play as a No.8 or No.10. We can see he can finish. You can see why teams are interested in him. He’s got everything.”
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Isabel, 25, is a football writer who has previously gained experience in the industry as the editor of Stretty News, along with work on Caught Offside, Last Word on Football and Give Me Sport. She is now the editor of UtdReport.
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