Mateus Fernandes is desperate for a move to Manchester United, but West Ham are demanding £80 million, meaning manager Michael Carrick must explore all options to facilitate the deal.
Fernandes Keen on Old Trafford
The West Ham midfielder is a hot commodity this summer, with Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain also interested. The Hammers are reluctant to sell Fernandes but may have little choice due to Financial Fair Play regulations.
West Ham's relegation to the Championship adds further pressure on the 21-year-old to make a decision. He could return to the Premier League or head elsewhere in Europe. This isn't Fernandes' first experience with relegation; he left Southampton last year when they dropped out of the top flight.
Fernandes signed for West Ham in the summer of 2025 for £38 million and impressed over the recent campaign. Now he could be on the move again, with United reportedly his ideal destination.
United Confident on Personal Terms
The club is confident they can agree on personal terms, and Fernandes is eager for Champions League football. The only barrier is the cost. West Ham hopes to spark a bidding war among interested clubs, with the initial price set at a whopping £80 million. Premier League champions Arsenal and Champions League winners PSG are also keen, putting United in competition with major clubs.
United are expected to make an opening bid later this week, but not at the price West Ham is asking. They view Fernandes as a player with huge potential but limited proven experience.
Carrick's Transfer Strategy
Carrick is keen to add ready-made stars as the club prepares for a return to Europe next season. A third-placed Premier League finish last season earned the manager plaudits, and he aims to continue that success. Spending a huge sum on Fernandes is not in their plans, but his desire to move to Old Trafford could be leveraged to strike a better deal with West Ham.
The Newcastle-Liverpool saga with Alexander Isak last summer serves as a precedent. The player wanted the move, the club didn't want to sell, but ultimately the deal was completed.
West Ham may look at that situation and decide to avoid team unrest as they prepare for an immediate Premier League return. Southampton would also benefit from a sale, as they retained a 15 percent sell-on clause from Fernandes' transfer to West Ham.
