United close in on 100m playmaker as PL rival’s hijack attempt fails, talks underway to strike deal – report

Manchester United’s departing superstar Casemiro once described the midfield as the “heartbeat” of a football team – with virtually every one of England’s elite on the hunt for a transplant this summer. The Red Devils have already struck a £39 million deal for Atalanta and Brazil international Ederson, though official completion will not come until his World Cup campaign concludes. But talks are ongoing to make Mateus Fernandes the second signing of the Michael Carrick era, with Manchester United having identified the West Ham United starlet as their leading target after Elliot Anderson communicated his wish to join Manchester City instead. Red-hot race in the Premier League The 21-year-old Portuguese maestro, capable of playing across a variety of roles in midfield, is understood to be prioritising a move to Old Trafford, even if the Hammers have placed a prohibitive asking price as high as £100m on his head. However, Arsenal and Liverpool were also admirers of the Sporting CP academy graduate, while Tottenham Hotspur have now stormed into the race as well, further strengthening West Ham United’s negotiating position, despite Nuno Espirito Santo’s side having suffered relegation. Tottenham Hotspur are pursuing Fernandes at the request of Roberto De Zerbi, with the Lilywhites prepared to go all out to back their new manager. A separate raid has been launched for Newcastle United dynamo Sandro Tonali – another target at Old Trafford – with David Ornstein revealing talks have been held with the 26-year-old’s camp. Manchester United had identified Tonali as an option in the build-up to the window, with Carrick said to be an admirer of the Italy international. However, Newcastle slapped down a £100m valuation to fend off interest, which led the Red Devils to cool their interest. Arsenal and Manchester City are both in the hunt for the Brescia native, where De Zerbi also hails from. It remains a distinct possibility the Citizens sign both Anderson and Tonali if Rodri departs for Real Madrid, which would then potentially increase Manchester United’s chances of pulling off a blockbuster deal for Aurelien Tchouameni, though Liverpool are also in contact with the French superstar. The only member of the Premier League’s top six not mentioned so far is Chelsea. But the Blues are braced for interest from Real Madrid in their own midfield maestro, Enzo Fernandez. The 2022 World Cup winner, currently on duty in North America with Argentina, has previously admitted the Santiago Bernabeu attracts him, with Los Blancos considering him as part of a major revamp of Jose Mourinho’s squad. Were Chelsea to lose Fernandez, they would aggressively enter the already fiercely competitive midfield market and players like Fernandes and Tonali would gain yet another suitor. However, the west London club have stronger pre-existing links to Crystal Palace maestro Adam Wharton – yet another option on INEOS’s radar. Spurs zero in on Wharton Manchester United have been tracking Wharton since he arrived at Selhurst Park from Blackburn Rovers in 2024. Under the tutelage of the departing Oliver Glasner, the 22-year-old has grown into one of England’s best ball-playing midfielders, helping propel the Eagles to triumphs in the FA Cup and Europa Conference League. Possessing a wand of a left foot and incisive line-breaking vision, Wharton resembles a playmaker born in Barcelona rather than Blackburn. His teammate, Yeremy Pino, believes he could play for the Spain national team such is his technical quality. Wharton is highly rated at Old Trafford, featuring highly on the list of targets in midfield. However, there is a sense he is not an ideal partner for Kobbie Mainoo, with the two players sharing many qualities – and some of the same weaknesses. This led Manchester United to prioritise other targets with more physicality and versatility, such as Fernandes and Ederson, over the Palace talisman. Chelsea and Liverpool are understood to be big fans as well, with the Reds having held talks in recent weeks. TEAMtalk now reveals Tottenham Hotspur are ready to make a “serious push” for Wharton as there is internal recognition in North London that deals for either Fernandes or Tonali will prove “difficult to conclude at this stage.” “As a result, Wharton is increasingly emerging as one of Tottenham’s most realistic high-profile targets. Sources have told us that De Zerbi is a huge admirer of the 21-year-old and…there is confidence that a move for Wharton represents a deal the club has a genuine chance of completing, provided Palace are willing to engage.” The report states Manchester United have “maintained a long-standing appreciation” and are continuing to “monitor his situation closely.” Final Thoughts While Tottenham’s ramping up their pursuit of Wharton may rule out an option held in high regard by United, it also provides tacit acceptance that prising Fernandes from West Ham’s grasp is unfeasible as the Red Devils have the firmest hand on a deal for the Portuguese. Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are both understood to have held initial talks with Fernandes’ camp, though sources at Old Trafford indicate there is belief this is being inflated by his agent, Jorge Mendes, and there remains confidence a deal can be struck for a talent who shone last season despite being constrained by a struggling side. Mateus Fernandes Premier League stats: 2025/26 Season Appearances36 Minutes per game84 Touches58.9 Key passes1.0 Accurate passes37.9 Interceptions 1.0 Tackles 2.9 Goals and assists 7 Source: Sofascore Featured image Eddie Keogh 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 Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.