Mateus Fernandes is poised to be one of the major sagas of the transfer window after attracting interest from a host of European giants.
As things stand, all of Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the West Ham starlet.
Mateus Fernandes: The state of play
Impressively, United are the ones who’ve been deemed frontrunners for Fernandes on numerous occasions.
talkSPORT’s Alex Crook has revealed that the Red Devils‘have basically got personal terms already agreed’ with the midfielder, making them favourites to land his signature before 2026/2027 gets underway.
Yet, his other suitors won’t go down without a fight.
Spurs were the latest to add their names to the mix after establishing their desire to sign Fernandes over the weekend.
🚨 Tottenham Hotspur among clubs keen on signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United – separate to #THFC pursuit of Sandro Tonali. Interest driven by Roberto De Zerbi; wants #WHUFC talent as well as #NUFC midfielder. W/ @DTathletic @SebSB @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/xnahVXnYAZ
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 18, 2026
They are more likely than United to meet the Irons’ £85 million price tag, while also offering the 21-year-old a lucrative financial package.
After all, their lack of European football in comparison to the other sides in the race means monetary promises are essentially the only way Spurs can come out on top.
That is outstanding 🚀
Mateus Fernandes fires home West Ham's third goal before half-time 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Ibe16CJu5K
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 24, 2026
Why have INEOS started prioritising Fernandes?
United stepped up their pursuit of Fernandes after conceding that Elliot Anderson was Manchester City-bound, so they opted to turn their attention to a young and promising alternative.
Appearances Starts Goal contributions Minutes played
72 69 13 5,948
FERNANDES’ COMPLETE PL RECORD (TRANSFERMARKT)
Fernandes, unlike Anderson, missed out on a World Cup call-up, which has allowed United to make their approach as soon as the window opened.
A deal could also be wrapped up in time to have the Portuguese in Michael Carrick’s ranks for pre-season, with United favouring a run of fixtures across Europe rather than the United States this time around.
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LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Pundit Gary Neville, arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester City at Turf Moor on April 22, 2026 in Burnley, England.
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - JUNE 06: Jenson Button and Simon Lazenby, Sky Sports F1, in the Paddock during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on June 06, 2026 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.
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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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