According to a report by The Mirror on Friday June 5, 2026, Manchester United are weighing a move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer, with the Hammers placing an £80 million valuation on the highly-rated 21-year-old Portuguese star.
Fernandes has attracted significant interest from both United and Arsenal following West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League.
The midfielder has now experienced back-to-back top-flight exits, having previously left Sporting CP for Southampton before their drop to the Championship, only to follow a similar path after joining West Ham for around £38 million last year.
United manager Michael Carrick views the youngster as a priority addition as the club looks to strengthen its midfield ahead of a Champions League campaign.
With Casemiro now gone and Manuel Ugarte reportedly available for loan or a permanent exit, the depth in central midfield remains a concern.
While Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo continue to anchor the engine room, Carrick is understood to need greater options to handle the increased fixture demands next season.
Interestingly, current United boss Ruben Amorim previously coached Fernandes at Sporting CP and spoke warmly of the player when sanctioning his sale in 2024.
He described him as “a young man with a lot of value who, in my opinion, has the characteristics to be a great player,” adding that retaining him had been a genuine desire at the club.
Should a deal be completed, Southampton stand to benefit financially through a 15 percent sell-on clause, potentially earning around £12 million from any transfer meeting the £80 million asking price.
United are also tracking Atalanta’s Ederson alongside several other midfield targets this window.
