Manchester United have been handed a boost in signing West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes for a reduced fee after the Hammers’ relegation to the Championship.
The east London outfit were relegated to the second tier after 14 seasons on Sunday. This should pave the way for an exit spree with several players likely to return to the Premier League.
Fernandes could be one of those. The Telegraph recently reported that Fernandes could be prised away for either £50m or £80m, depending on the Hammers’ league status next season.
Their failure to beat the drop means they may have to settle for a lower package to offset recent financial losses. The Hammers recorded a loss of £104m in 2024/25 and are expected to report another hefty deficit, likely in nine figures, for the recently concluded campaign.
The Red Devils have the perfect opportunity to capitalise and bring in one of Portugal’s best young midfielders. Fernandes had a good individual season with the Hammers despite their league setback.
The 21-year-old, described as ‘special‘ by West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, completed an impressive 87 percent passes in the Premier League. He was also solid defensively, with an average of almost six duels and three tackles won alongside five recoveries.
Fernandes also chipped in with five goals and five assists across all competitions. The Sporting CP graduate is primarily a central midfielder but can also operate as a holding or an attacking midfielder.
With his versatility and good league record, we won’t be surprised if United step up their pursuit, now that the Hammers are relegated and could accept a lower transfer fee. Club captain Bruno Fernandes is a big admirer of his compatriot and has already talked up his credentials to the hierarchy.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com