Tottenham's higher wage offer puts Manchester United under pressure to land Mateus Fernandes

Manchester United are at risk of losing the race for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham Hotspur, with reports suggesting Spurs have tabled a higher wage offer and a larger overall package for the 21-year-old Portuguese international.

According to The Independent, West Ham are demanding a significant proportion of any agreed fee up front, and Tottenham’s proposal currently satisfies that condition more comfortably than United’s. Fernandes is said to be keen on a move to Old Trafford, but the financial gap between the two offers means United must raise their wages proposal, increase the upfront payment to West Ham, and improve their overall bid to have any realistic chance of securing his signature.

West Ham have placed an £85 million asking price on Fernandes, though that figure is expected to serve as a starting point in negotiations. The Hammers, who face the task of returning to the Premier League at the first attempt following relegation, will be motivated to extract maximum value from the sale. The broader midfielder market supports their position — Manchester City’s reported £120 million-plus bid for Elliot Anderson illustrates just how inflated prices for top central midfielders have become.

Fernandes, who joined West Ham from Sporting CP, has attracted interest from Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Arsenal as well, adding further urgency to United’s pursuit. At 21, he is two years younger than Anderson and is considered to have significant room for further development.

His former coach Vasco Seabra spoke to Radio Renascenca about what makes Fernandes so coveted across Europe. “He has a huge range of abilities,” Seabra said. “He has technical quality and he’s a kid with a fantastic heart and mentality. We expected he could reach top teams very quickly, but it would be false of me to say I expected that, two years later, he could be in Real Madrid’s plans.”

Seabra also expressed confidence that Fernandes has the temperament to thrive in England. “I expected he could reach Premier League level in a very short time. He really had a mentality and a daily commitment, both in training and matches, that made me believe he could reach a very high level.”

Midfield reinforcement is United’s primary transfer focus this summer. The club have already agreed a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta, and Fernandes is understood to be a further target as the club look to rebuild their engine room ahead of next season.