The race to sign Mateus Fernandes is heating up as Tottenham make an aggressive approach to sign the West Ham midfielder, who is among Manchester United’s primary targets.
Manchester United are in the market for new midfielders after losing Casemiro at the end of the past season. There is also a strong chance that Manuel Ugarte will leave in search of regular football after the 2026 World Cup.
That means United will be short on midfielders unless they act in the transfer window. Ederson is expected to join from Atalanta after the World Cup, while the Reds continue to be linked with Mateus Fernandes and Aurelien Tchouameni.
West Ham are sticking with their excessive demands for Fernandes’ signature, despite losing their Premier League status and requiring over £100m from player sales.
Mateus Fernandes with the ball against Northern Ireland U21
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West Ham United v Arsenal - Premier League
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Tottenham make progress with Mateus Fernandes pursuit
It remains to be seen if United will be put off by Tottenham’s interest, but it is now clear that the London outfit are serious about signing Fernandes.
According to Miguel Delaney of The Independent, Tottenham have held ‘positive’ talks with West Ham over the prospective £85m transfer of Fernandes.
The report claims Tottenham’s wage proposal to Fernandes is higher than United’s, and the 21-year-old is ‘very keen’ on the move.
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Tottenham reportedly have £200m to spend for this window, so they will be aiming to back Roberto De Zerbi with his primary targets. Fernandes is one of them.
United’s stance on the matter is that they do not want to get involved in a bidding war, similarly to Elliot Anderson, after walking away from pursuing a deal for the Nottingham Forest and England midfielder.
Only time will tell if United are willing to match Tottenham’s offer for Fernandes, or if they will move on and prioritise another target.
Especially when there has been no shortage of midfielders linked to Old Trafford this summer.
⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
Tottenham make progress in pursuit to sign Mateus Fernandes
Fernandes has received an offer from Tottenham that would see him earn more money than what he has been offered at Manchester United
United don’t want to get involved in a bidding war for Fernandes, after walking away from a deal for Elliot Anderson for similar reasons
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Man Utd right to reconsider Mateus Fernandes deal
West Ham are understandably eager to find the biggest bidder.
But as we saw with Bryan Mbeumo last year, a bigger offer isn’t necessarily enough to get a deal over the line.
Tottenham offered Mbeumo more money, but he chose to sign for United.
It’s not a decision the Cameroon international is likely to regret.
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