United rocked as rival PL club closes in on agreement to hijack deal for Mateus Fernandes – report

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly inching closer towards striking an agreement over personal terms with the camp of West Ham midfielder and Manchester United target Mateus Fernandes. Key target United are prioritising midfield reinforcements this summer as they prepare to play in the Champions League next season and potentially mount a title challenge. Already, the Red Devils have wrapped up a deal with Atalanta for Ederson, who will officially complete his move after Brazil’s involvement in the World Cup in North America. Attention has now shifted to Fernandes, who is all but guaranteed to depart West Ham following their relegation to the Championship. Despite West Ham’s struggles in 2025/26, Fernandes still stood out, catching the eye with his dominant displays in the middle of the park. United view him as the perfect candidate to come into the team and slot next to Kobbie Mainoo. The major hindrance to getting a deal done fast has been West Ham’s valuation. Despite going down and being under pressure to sell, the Hammers are demanding around £85m for the player. Michael Carrick’s side have no desire to fork out such a heavy sum and are looking to try and drive the price down during negotiations. Fernandes is understood to want a switch to Old Trafford, having frequently spoken of his admiration for his Portuguese compatriot Bruno Fernandes. United are not the only party keeping tabs on the West Ham man. Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also thought to be eyeing him. More recently, David Ornstein of The Athletic revealed that Tottenham have stormed into the race to snap up the 21-year-old. Now, journalist Matteo Moretto is claiming that Tottenham are close to agreeing personal terms with Fernandes, spelling trouble for United’s pursuit of the midfielder. Fernandes update According to Moretto on X, “Tottenham is very close to reaching an agreement with Mateus Fernandes on the contract.” “There have still been no official negotiations with West Ham.” “Mateus Fernandes, also on the radar of other big clubs, is open to signing for Tottenham.” El Tottenham está muy cerca de llegar a un acuerdo con Mateus Fernandes sobre el contrato. Todavía no ha habido ninguna negociación oficial con el West Ham. Mateus Fernandes, en el punto de mira también de otros grandes clubes, está abierto a fichar por el Tottenham. pic.twitter.com/IA2OE78pfI — Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) June 20, 2026 Whether this development prompts United into action remains uncertain, but they are unlikely to engage in a bidding war. Value for money will also be a key consideration. Fernandes made 36 Premier League appearances in 2025/26, contributing three goals and four assists in that period. Featured image Justin Setterfield 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 Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!