Liverpool join United and Spurs in £85m race for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes

Liverpool have entered the running for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealing the club contacted the London side to gauge his availability — adding a third major Premier League rival to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of the 21-year-old Portuguese international.

Romano disclosed the development on the Born ‘N Red YouTube channel, stating that Liverpool made a call to West Ham approximately two weeks ago to understand the player’s price and conditions. He was clear, however, that no bid or official offer followed. “Liverpool made a call two weeks ago to understand the situation of Mateus Fernandes at West Ham, to understand the price and conditions, but they didn’t return with any bid or any official conversation,” Romano said. “But they made a call two weeks ago, I can guarantee that.”

Fernandes has been one of the most talked-about midfield targets in the Premier League this summer, with United having been linked with the player for several weeks as they look to strengthen their engine room. Arsenal have also been mentioned as an interested party. Romano indicated the price tag has now risen above £85 million, a figure that reflects both the player’s profile and the level of competition for his signature.

“Tottenham and Manchester United are busy with a deal, so there are so many clubs involved,” Romano added. “The player is going to be expensive, more than £85 million. It means Liverpool are working on midfielders.”

United have already moved in midfield this summer, agreeing a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta for an initial fee of £35 million plus £3.8 million in add-ons. Whether Fernandes represents a separate target or a contingency remains unclear.

At Liverpool, the midfield picture is complicated further by uncertainty over Curtis Jones. Inter Milan have declared an interest in the 25-year-old, but the Reds rejected a £21.7 million offer from the Serie A club over the weekend, with the Italian side’s bid falling well short of Liverpool’s valuation. That stance suggests Liverpool are not actively looking to thin their midfield options, even as they explore potential additions like Fernandes.

With United, Tottenham, and now Liverpool all circling, West Ham appear to hold considerable leverage over one of the summer window’s most contested transfer targets.