Fernandes forced his way out of Southampton once — and United hope he repeats it to beat £85m asking price

Manchester United have made contact with the representatives of Mateus Fernandes as they look to sign the 21-year-old from relegated West Ham, who are holding out for a fee of £85million — more than double the £42million they paid Southampton for him just a year ago.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that United officials have been in touch with the Portugal international’s camp in recent days. The Hammers’ steep valuation is driven in part by interest from rival clubs and a sell-on clause that requires 15 percent of any fee to be returned to Southampton.

United’s best hope of reducing that asking price may come from Fernandes himself. Last summer, the midfielder pushed Southampton to sanction his sale following their relegation from the Premier League, telling the club’s hierarchy that remaining outside the top flight would cost him his place in the Portugal national team. Southampton owner Dragan Solak confirmed as much in a recent interview.

“Last summer we realised that we cannot keep Matty Fernandes,” Solak told the Southern Daily Echo. “He actually broke me when he told me why he could not stay. He came to me, and he said, ‘If I stay in Southampton, I will never get to play for the Portuguese national team,’ and I said, ‘Okay, that’s fair. Bring me the money I want, because we really value you. Bring me the money you want and then I will let you go.’”

Fernandes was not selected for Portugal’s upcoming World Cup squad, but his long-term ambitions at international level are unlikely to have shifted. That could prompt him to push for an exit from the London Stadium in a similar fashion, potentially giving United the leverage to negotiate a fee below West Ham’s current valuation.

West Ham’s bargaining position is also weakened by their relegation. Premier League parachute payments offset only a portion of the revenue lost by dropping out of the top flight, leaving the club under pressure to generate transfer income from their most sought-after assets.

Should a deal be completed, Fernandes would become United’s second midfield signing of the summer. The club have already agreed a £35million deal with Atalanta to sign Brazilian midfielder Ederson.