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Manchester United are among the leading clubs showing interest in signing West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer.

The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder was one of the standout performers for the Hammers despite their relegation from the Premier League last season. With his strong performances, Fernandes is widely expected to remain in a top-flight league rather than competing in the Championship next year.

West Ham, following their drop to the second tier, now face financial pressures that require them to offload several players. Fernandes is considered one of their most valuable assets, both due to his Premier League experience and his potential for further development at such a young age.

During the 2025–26 Premier League campaign, Fernandes scored three goals and provided four assists across 36 appearances for West Ham. Many believe his attacking output could increase significantly if he were to join a more competitive club like Manchester United.

Beyond his contributions in attack, the former Southampton midfielder is known for his relentless work rate off the ball and ability to control the rhythm of play from deeper midfield positions.

He added an assist in West Ham's 3-0 victory over Leeds United on the final day of the Premier League season, although that result couldn’t prevent the Hammers from being relegated, as Tottenham Hotspur’s win over Everton sealed their fate.

At the same time, Manchester United are aiming to strengthen their midfield depth after securing qualification for the Champions League under interim manager Michael Carrick, whose leadership helped guide them back to Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2023.

In recent seasons, United have fallen below their historical standards, and co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has initiated a series of cost-cutting measures that have occasionally divided opinion among supporters.

This financial discipline has raised questions among fans about how feasible it would be for the club to complete a big-money move for Fernandes this summer.

According to The Guardian, Fernandes earned approximately £70,000 per week at West Ham during their Premier League campaign. However, his salary was reportedly reduced by 50 percent following relegation to the Championship, making him a more affordable option for Manchester United in line with Ratcliffe’s budgetary goals.

Still, The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell has reported that West Ham are seeking around £80 million for Fernandes, while United are hoping to negotiate that figure down to a more reasonable sum.

Manchester United may also benefit from existing relationships — their director of football, Jason Wilcox, previously held the same role at Southampton when Fernandes was signed there. Additionally, United’s current head of senior scouting, Kyle Macaulay, served as West Ham’s head of recruitment at the time the Hammers secured Fernandes’ transfer.

Following their relegation, West Ham are determined to earn significant profits from Fernandes’ sale, and the young midfielder is widely expected to join a top European club this summer.

According to The Athletic, Paris Saint-Germain are also in the running for the one-cap Portugal international, which could further boost his prospects of playing in the Champions League next season.

The Daily Mail has additionally reported that West Ham plan to offload up to nine players to raise around £100 million, with Fernandes’ potential £80 million transfer likely to cover the majority of that target.