Arsenal have reportedly joined the growing race to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most closely monitored young midfielders after an impressive campaign at the London Stadium despite West Ham’s struggles near the bottom of the table.
According to reports, Arsenal view Fernandes as a strong option to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s midfield rotation ahead of another season competing on multiple fronts.
The Gunners already possess significant depth in central areas through players such as Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino, but Fernandes is believed to be admired for his versatility and long-term potential.
Fernandes joined West Ham from Southampton in the summer of 2025 and has quickly established himself as one of the club’s standout performers.
The Portugal international has contributed goals and assists from midfield while also showing an ability to operate in several different roles across the pitch.
He has played as a deeper midfielder, an attacking midfielder and even in wider areas during the campaign.
That tactical flexibility is believed to appeal strongly to Arteta, who values players capable of adapting to different systems and positions.
Fernandes has also impressed with his energy, technical quality and ball-carrying ability in difficult circumstances at West Ham.
His performances have not gone unnoticed across Europe.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City are all reportedly tracking the midfielder, while Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan have also been linked with interest.
Liverpool have previously targeted talented players from relegated Premier League sides, and reports have suggested Fernandes fits the profile they admire.
West Ham are understood to value the midfielder between €65m and €75m despite signing him only last summer.
The club are reportedly already preparing for the possibility of losing Fernandes as they plan their summer recruitment strategy.
That situation could become even more likely if West Ham suffer relegation from the Premier League.
Fernandes was previously regarded as one of Sporting CP’s brightest academy talents before leaving Portugal for Southampton in 2024.
Since then, Fernandes has continued his rapid development in English football.
He earned a senior Portugal call-up earlier this year and made his debut under Roberto Martinez after impressing consistently at club level.
Arsenal’s interest now adds another major name to the list of clubs monitoring his situation.
With Arteta continuing to build a squad capable of challenging for both Premier League and Champions League honours, Fernandes appears to fit the profile of the young, technically strong and adaptable players Arsenal have increasingly targeted in recent years.