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

Manchester United are preparing to make an opening bid for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes this week, but the offer will fall well short of the £80m the relegated Hammers are demanding for their 21-year-old.

Fernandes has told West Ham he wants to leave for Old Trafford following the club’s relegation to the Championship, with the Portuguese international eager to secure Champions League football. United are confident that agreeing personal terms will not be an issue — the fee is the sticking point.

West Ham value Fernandes as the best young player in the Premier League and believe he has the potential to be worth more than £100m in the near future. The club are also hoping to spark a bidding war, with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid also credited with interest in the midfielder.

United, however, are not prepared to be held to ransom. Senior figures at the club have discussed Fernandes’s merits as an addition to Michael Carrick’s squad, but the prevailing view at Old Trafford is that, despite his considerable potential, he has yet to fully establish himself at the highest level.

With Fernandes publicly signalling his preference for a move to United, the club are content to bide their time and wait for a deal on their own terms rather than capitulate to West Ham’s valuation. United had previously been in the running to sign Newcastle and England midfielder Elliot Anderson before withdrawing from that pursuit.

Separately, United have distanced themselves from reports suggesting a £60m agreement has been reached with Newcastle for left-back Lewis Hall. While the club retain admiration for the England international, signing a left-back is not considered an immediate priority this summer.