West Ham value Mateus Fernandes at £80m as Arsenal and Man Utd circle

West Ham are demanding £80million for Mateus Fernandes as Arsenal and Manchester United prepare to battle for the 21-year-old midfielder this summer, according to The Times. Southampton are entitled to 15 per cent of any sale fee through a sell-on clause inserted when Fernandes moved to the London Stadium last summer in a deal worth up to £42million.

Fernandes contributed five goals and five assists during a season in which West Ham were relegated to the Championship, and the club would prefer to retain him. However, their absence from Premier League football next season is expected to make keeping him financially untenable.

Arsenal are reported to hold a strong working relationship with West Ham, which could give them an advantage in negotiations. Manager Mikel Arteta is said to value Fernandes’ versatility and is targeting technically accomplished additions to his squad during the window.

Manchester United are casting a wider net in midfield, with three signings in that position reportedly planned. They are already closing in on Atalanta’s Ederson, while Fernandes sits alongside Elliot Anderson, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Sandro Tonali on their shortlist.

Fernandes made his senior debut for Portugal earlier this year but missed the final 26-man squad named by Roberto Martínez for the World Cup. His club future is likely to be settled during pre-season rather than during the tournament itself.

Both Arsenal and United are also tracking Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, 23, who helped Villa win the Europa League and finish fourth in the Premier League. Villa intend to keep Rogers, who has five years remaining on his contract, but UEFA financial regulations could yet force their hand.

Arsenal have previously explored a move for Rogers, and multiple reports suggest the England international would be open to joining them. United may hold a personal connection through sporting director Jason Wilcox, who oversaw Rogers’ arrival at Manchester City’s academy before his eventual sale — a period that predates Wilcox’s own departure from the club.