United open club-to-club talks to sign 80m midfield magician, Old Trafford is his dream move – report

Manchester United have opened club-to-club talks with West Ham United to strike a deal for Mateus Fernandes, according to an inside source. Theatre of Dreams The Red Devils are focusing on an overhaul of Michael Carrick’s midfield unit this summer, with Casemiro’s departure confirmed and Manuel Ugarte available for sale. A £39 million deal has already been struck for Ederson, Atalanta’s 26-year-old box-to-box warrior. However, the Brazilian received a late call-up by Carlo Ancelotti for the Seleção yesterday, which could potentially delay official completion of the move. Should Ugarte depart, United are intent on adding two more midfielders to their ranks, with Elliot Anderson and Aurelien Tchouameni the leading targets, while Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Alex Scott and Carlos Baleba are other names on the list. However, Fernandes – West Ham’s 21-year-old starlet – has rapidly emerged as a priority for the Red Devils after a superb season at the London Stadium, with the Hammers’ relegation opening the door to an exit. 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 Talks have been held with the Portugal international, who narrowly missed out on a place in Roberto Martinez’s squad for the World Cup. He has communicated a strong desire to join United, considering Old Trafford a ‘dream move’. Now, according to a well-placed source, INEOS have formally “begun talks” with West Ham to try and agree a deal, despite an exorbitant £80m valuation. United move first There has been considerable interest from across Europe in Fernandes, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain all expressing interest in the youngster. But it is United who have struck first, with Sully – an excellent source of news in M16 – revealing that formal negotiations have opened as INEOS are keen to avoid a “long saga.” #MUFC have begun talks with #WHU for Mateus Fernandes. United have no desire to pay the £80M asking fee from West Ham and ideally don’t want a long saga. 21 yo is keen on a move as reported. However, internal chaos at #WHU after Sullivan left. @UtdDistrict https://t.co/iUZ8IYmkIk — Sully (@SullyTalkz) June 8, 2026 Tweet: “#MUFC have begun talks with #WHU for Mateus Fernandes. United have no desire to pay the £80M asking fee from West Ham and ideally don’t want a long saga. 21 yo is keen on a move as reported. However, internal chaos at #WHU after Sullivan left. United are said to have “no desire to pay” West Ham United’s valuation of £80m, though well-placed figures have suggested the expected price will be closer to £60m – a much more reasonable price for a young midfielder with only two years of Premier League experience. West Ham United are in desperate need of income to prepare for their descent into the Championship, with the east London club believed to be looking to raise as much as £150 million in sales. Fernandes is their most profitable asset by far, which explains their desire to drive a hard bargain. If any of his other suitors formalise their interest, a bidding war could erupt – which would be music to the Hammers’ ears. However, a report relayed by The Peoples Person indicates Fernandes’ agent, Jorge Mendes, is drumming up noise around his client in order to extract as much value as possible. There is understood to be confidence from those close to the deal that the red half of Manchester remains the Olhão native’s preferred, and most likely, destination this summer. Featured image Julian Finney 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.