Bitter PL rivals looking to pull off last-minute heist for United’s dream target, Carrick will be livid if INEOS fail – report

Manchester United have identified their next midfield target, Mateus Fernandes, and have him firmly in their sights. Following Ederson’s capture from Atalanta, INEOS are fully focused on landing the Portuguese ace from West Ham. However, the Hammers have been playing hardball over the price, refusing to lower their £80 million valuation despite their relegation to the Championship. The entry of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain into the race has further complicated matters, even though the Red Devils remain confident of landing their man. Spurs join Mateus Fernandes race Journalist Ben Jacobs has now claimed that a Premier League rival has launched an enquiry for the Portugal international. Tottenham Hotspur, who survived a real relegation scare by the skin of their teeth, are eager not to repeat last season’s horror show this time out. As a result, Spurs are desperate to back new boss Roberto De Zerbi with the ammunition needed to take the North London side back into the reckoning for European football. “Tottenham are looking at the market with various names,” Jacobs said on the Reporting on The Last Word on Spurs podcast. Mateus Fernandes wants only United “They made an enquiry for Mateus Fernandes, even though the direction of travel there is Manchester United or PSG. Real Madrid could even enter that race, but he was another player that they looked at. “Funny, because Tottenham and West Ham just don’t do that much business ever, and yet we might get a flurry now, because the reports, of which I also was one of them, around Crysencio Summerville and Tottenham were legitimate, even though West Ham tried to deny it at the time.” Thankfully, Mateus Fernandes seems to have eyes only for a move to Old Trafford, where he can play alongside his idol, Bruno Fernandes. United remain confident that a deal can be agreed as early as this month. Michael Carrick had demanded INEOS to revamp the team’s engine room, and after missing out on both Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali, the head coach will be happy if United can get the deal for Mateus Fernandes over the line. Feature image Clive Rose via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Ayantan Chowdhury After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25