EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd lead race to sign Mateus Fernandes

EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd lead race to sign Mateus Fernandes are currently ahead of Hotspur in the race to sign West Ham United midfielder this summer, sources has been told. Michael Carrick’s side have already finalised a deal for Atalanta star Ederson, but they remain eager to bolster their midfield options further and this stance is likely to have increased after Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury for Uruguay at the World Cup. Fernandes has been earmarked as a priority target by the Man Utd hierarchy, after missing out on Elliot Anderson to rivals Manchester City, and they are keen to bring him to Old Trafford before the start of the 2026-27 campaign. The Portuguese midfielder made 38 appearances across all competitions for West Ham last term, scoring four goals, and he was one of their most impressive performers as they suffered relegation down to the Championship for the first time since 2011. It's the second season in a row that Fernandes has been relegated from the Premier League, and he is once again expected to secure a move before the end of the summer transfer window. Man Utd lead Mateus Fernandes transfer race Arsenal, Man Utd and Tottenham have all been heavily linked with Fernandes over the past few months, although the former are currently in talks over a possible move for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes. Man Utd, meanwhile, are significantly further ahead in negotiations with West Ham than Spurs, sources have informed us. Tottenham are instead eager to finalise a deal for Newcastle star Sandro Tonali before turning their attention to Fernandes, and this could give Man Utd the perfect opportunity to strike. The Red Devils want to bring the 21-year-old to Old Trafford before the summer transfer window shuts on 1 September, and we understand that talks between the two clubs are likely to advance over the coming weeks. However, West Ham want over €90 million for Fernandes and it remains to be seen if Man Utd are willing to match that figure or if Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are open to reducing their asking price.