Exclusive: Manchester United bosses are in no rush to meet West Ham’s asking price despite knowing how desperate they are to secure Matheus Fernandes’ move to Old Trafford
Matheus Fernandes is Manchester United’s main summer target (Image: Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Manchester United have told West Ham to forget about demanding ransom for Matheus Fernandes.
United have withdrawn from the race to sign England midfielder Elliott Anderson, making Fernandes the club’s preferred signing this summer.
The Portugal international has revealed he wants to move to Old Trafford following West Ham’s relegation from the Championship.
The 21-year-old is desperate to qualify for the Champions League, but United are confident of agreeing personal terms without any problems.
However, the stumbling block appears to be the transfer fee West Ham are demanding for Fernandes. The Hammers value Fernandes at around £80m and are hoping to spark a war for the midfielder, who are also targeted by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
The Hammers believe Fernandes is the best young player in the Premier League and could be worth more than £100m in the not too distant future.
However, United are not prepared to meet the asking price. United bosses have debated the merits of adding Fernandes to manager Michael Carrick’s squad.
Fernandes has informed West Ham leaders of his desire to join Manchester United (Image: Getty Images)
And the feeling at Old Trafford is that while Fernandes has huge potential, he must prove and establish himself at the highest level.
United are expected to make their first bid later this week, but it is unlikely to be worth £80m. It remains to be seen whether the two clubs can reach a compromise on compensation.
However, with Fernandes confirming Old Trafford is his dream destination, United refuse to panic and will bide their time in the hope of arranging a deal that suits them.
Meanwhile, United have distanced themselves from reports that they have agreed a £60m deal with Newcastle for Lewis Hall. United still have high praise for the England international, but signing the left-back is not an immediate priority.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with Sky Glass ‘designed for soccer’
From £4.50
sky
Get the deal here
Sky is marking the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 20% discount on its entire range of glass TVs. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to a Sky smart TV ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 a month when taken with a Sky TV and Netflix package.
