Man United pull ahead of Arsenal in £80m race to sign West Ham's Mateus Fernandes

Manchester United have moved to the front of the queue to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with the club growing increasingly confident of agreeing a deal worth up to £80m, according to The Times. Arsenal had been monitoring the Portuguese international but are unwilling to meet West Ham’s asking price.

United manager Michael Carrick identified Fernandes as a priority midfield signing ahead of next season, and West Ham’s relegation to the Championship has only strengthened the Red Devils’ hand in negotiations. The Hammers are also under pressure to sell in order to comply with Profit and Sustainability rules, though it remains unclear whether they must complete a sale before the end of the current window.

Any agreed fee would represent a substantial return on West Ham’s investment. The east London club signed Fernandes from Southampton last summer for £38m, and the 22-year-old repaid them with five goals and four assists across what now appears to have been his only season at the club.

A successful move for Fernandes would mark the opening act of a significant midfield overhaul at Old Trafford. Casemiro has already departed, and Manuel Ugarte is expected to follow him out of the door. United have also reportedly agreed terms with Atalanta for Brazilian midfielder Ederson, adding further momentum to their summer rebuild.

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has also been discussed as a target, though former United coach Renee Meulensteen cast doubt on whether the club would commit the funds required. Manchester City remain the frontrunners for Anderson despite having two bids rejected, and Meulensteen suggested United may ultimately look elsewhere.

“United need to sign at least two, if not three midfielders this transfer window,” Meulensteen said. “That’s the position where they have to really, really strengthen, especially with more competitions coming up. Anderson has obviously had an outstanding season, and his price just goes up and up. I don’t think Man United will pay that for Anderson — I think they do have funds, but to spend so much money” on a single player at that position gives him pause.

With Fernandes looking increasingly likely to arrive and Ederson potentially close behind, United appear set to reshape their engine room substantially before the new campaign begins.