West Ham value relegated Mateus Fernandes at £80m as Man Utd weigh midfield options

West Ham are demanding £80million for Mateus Fernandes this summer, with Manchester United among the clubs monitoring the 21-year-old Portugal midfielder as they look to strengthen their midfield options.

The Hammers were relegated to the Championship on the final day of the season and must raise between £100million and £150million through player sales to stabilise their finances. Fernandes, signed from Southampton for £38million last summer, is considered one of the club’s most valuable assets. West Ham would prefer to retain him but are willing to sell at around the £80million mark, according to reports. He has four years remaining on his contract at the London Stadium.

Despite being unable to prevent relegation, Fernandes is highly regarded internally, with the club believing he has the potential to develop into one of the best players in the world over the coming years.

United are also in advanced talks to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with a deal reported to be close between the two clubs. Fernandes represents a separate avenue as the club looks to add depth and quality in central midfield.

Chief executive Omar Berrada has outlined United’s approach to the window, indicating the club will follow a similar template to last summer. “You always go into a window, and you don’t know how you’re going to come out of it, but you have to be really prepared,” Berrada said. “You have to have a clear plan; you have to know exactly what positions you’re looking to strengthen, and you also have to be prepared for any eventuality.”

Berrada also stressed that United will resist pressure to overpay. “We have to be really disciplined; it’s simple. We have a plan; we know what we can invest in, and we have to stick to that,” he added. “It’s very important that you don’t let the market or the agents dictate what we should be doing.”