West Ham's £85m asking price stands between Man United and Mateus Fernandes

Manchester United have opened talks over signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, but face a significant obstacle in the Hammers’ £85m valuation of the 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder — a figure more than twice the £42m West Ham paid Southampton just 12 months ago.

Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has reported that United officials have made contact with Fernandes’s agent as the club looks to add midfield reinforcements this summer. Should the deal be completed, it would represent United’s second signing of the window, following the agreed £35m capture of Brazilian midfielder Ederson from Atalanta.

West Ham’s steep asking price is partly driven by interest from rival clubs and a 15% sell-on clause owed to Southampton. The relegated Hammers, who must generate income to offset the financial impact of dropping out of the Premier League, are in a difficult negotiating position despite their high valuation.

That tension could work in United’s favour. Fernandes has form for pushing through a move when his top-flight ambitions are at stake. Last summer, he personally urged Southampton to sanction his sale after their relegation to the Championship, citing his desire to remain in the Premier League to stay in contention for the Portugal national squad.

Southampton owner Dragan Solak recalled the conversation: “Last summer we realised that we cannot keep Matty Fernandes. He actually broke me when he told me why he could not stay. He came to me, and he said, ‘If I stay in Southampton, I will never get to play for the Portuguese national team,’ and I said, ‘Okay, that’s fair. Bring me the money I want, because we really value you. Bring me the money you want and then I will let you go.’”

Although Fernandes was omitted from Portugal’s recent World Cup squad, his long-term international ambitions are unlikely to have diminished. If he were to push for a move away from the London Stadium in similar fashion, United could potentially negotiate a fee below West Ham’s current asking price — a scenario that would benefit both the player and the Old Trafford club.