Manchester United are interested in signing West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the summer transfer window. The 22-year-old Portuguese star has attracted attention from several top clubs, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Arsenal, but there is a growing expectation that he will end up at Old Trafford.
A Player with a 'Fantastic Heart'
Fernandes has back-to-back relegations from the Premier League on his CV, having joined West Ham from Southampton last year. However, he is seen as a player with all the ingredients to reach the top of the sport. His former coach, Vasco Seabra, told Radio Renascenca: "He has a huge range of abilities. He has technical quality and he's a kid with a fantastic heart and mentality."
Seabra backed Fernandes to succeed in the Premier League, adding: "I expected he could reach Premier League level in a very short time. He really had a mentality and a daily commitment, both in training and matches, that made me believe he could reach a very high level."
United's Interest and Transfer Details
United's data department, led by Michael Sansoni, is hugely influential on the club's transfer strategy. The numbers from last season alone show Fernandes is a decent second choice to Elliot Anderson, who was United's priority target. Fernandes won more tackles than Anderson and made more accurate switches of play. He wasn't far behind Anderson on ground duels won, possessions won, and possessions won in the defensive third.
West Ham have slapped an £85m price tag on Fernandes, but that will be a starting point in negotiations. United have sensed an opportunity to negotiate after West Ham's relegation, which provides hope a fairer fee can be agreed. Fernandes is understood to be open to a move to United, and formal club-to-club talks are now expected.
Fernandes' Career Path
Fernandes progressed through Sporting Lisbon's academy, making his senior debut aged 18. He appeared in a Champions League tie against Tottenham before joining Estoril on loan in 2023/24. He made 35 appearances for Estoril and helped the club reach the Allianz Cup final. Southampton signed him for £15m, and he joined West Ham for an initial £38m last summer.
Discussing the links to Real Madrid, Seabra said Jose Mourinho would be perfect for him. However, United's pitch to Fernandes is straightforward: join the biggest club in England, work under one of the finest midfielders of his generation in Michael Carrick, and be part of the United team that ends the wait for a Premier League title. The opportunity to play with Bruno Fernandes will also attract Fernandes, who has idolised the United captain since he was a boy.
United chiefs will be disappointed to be missing out on Anderson, but that blow will be softened if Fernandes can be signed.
