Man United refuse West Ham's £80m valuation as Fernandes pushes for Old Trafford move

Manchester United are set to table an opening bid for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes this week, though the offer will fall well short of the £80m valuation the Hammers have placed on the 21-year-old Portuguese international.

United have identified Fernandes as their No. 1 midfield priority this summer, withdrawing from the race to sign Elliot Anderson and ruling out a move for Sandro Tonali on cost grounds. Senior figures at Old Trafford believe Fernandes, despite his considerable potential, has yet to fully prove himself at the highest level — a view that underpins their reluctance to match West Ham’s asking price.

Fernandes has made no secret of his desire to move to United, with Champions League football a key motivation. United are confident that agreeing personal terms will not be an obstacle once a fee is settled, and are willing to play a patient long game rather than be pressured into overpaying.

West Ham, meanwhile, are hoping to spark a bidding war. Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also reported to be monitoring Fernandes, and the Hammers believe his value could exceed £100m in the near future if he continues his current trajectory.

Separately, United are pressing ahead with other midfield business. A medical has already been scheduled for Ederson, the £39m signing from Atalanta, who is expected to be the first of up to three midfield arrivals at Old Trafford this summer.

United have also moved to cool speculation over left back Lewis Hall. Despite holding the Newcastle and England international in high regard, the club insist that reinforcing at left back is not a pressing priority at this stage of the window.