Man Utd Chased Mateus Fernandes For Months — But Was Their Interest Ever Genuine?

Manchester United supporters were left disappointed this week as reports emerged that Mateus Fernandes is on the brink of completing a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Having been one of the few standout performers in a West Ham United side that dropped out of the Premier League at the close of last season, the 21-year-old had been strongly linked with a transfer to Old Trafford, where reinforcements in midfield are a clear priority this summer.

Éderson is set to finalize an initial £35 million ($46.5 million) deal from Atalanta once his World Cup campaign with Brazil concludes. However, a lack of squad depth last season, Casemiro's departure on a free transfer, and Manuel Ugarte's long-term injury suggest that at least two further signings in that area may still be required.

There is a prevailing belief that Manchester United will pursue players across various price brackets, each corresponding to a different role and standing within the squad. Éderson appears to represent the mid-tier option, with the club also seeking a high-profile marquee signing and a more affordable backup.

Fernandes, who is set to join Spurs for £85 million ($112.9 million), was near the upper end of that range, as was Elliot Anderson, who is expected to sign for Manchester City for £116 million ($154 million).

Were Man Utd That Serious About Fernandes?

Details surrounding the Fernandes deal indicate that the full transfer fee is guaranteed with no conditional add-ons, meaning Spurs are committed to paying the entire sum. It appears United held some interest, but not enough to match the asking price, as The Athletic reports that both the transfer fee and the proposed wages "went higher than they were willing to pay."

Tottenham were willing to meet those demands, while United were not, placing a lower value on Fernandes and now turning their attention to other targets. It appears the Red Devils held genuine admiration for the player, but once the potential deal exceeded their preferred parameters, they chose to walk away.

Anderson, while understandably commanding a higher fee given his more proven track record in the Premier League and at international level, seems to fall into a similar bracket.

Historically, United have spent considerable time negotiating over targets they considered overpriced—Harry Maguire, Antony, Rasmus Højlund—only to ultimately pay the premium anyway. This represents a shift in approach under a new leadership structure, but whether it will prove effective remains to be seen.

Which Alternative Midfield Targets Will Man Utd Pursue?

Several alternatives remain available. A wave of speculation linking Sandro Tonali with Tottenham preceded Fernandes edging closer to a Spurs move, and one could argue the chances of the Italian also heading to north London have now diminished. That said, ongoing reports suggest the funds may exist to complete both signings.

Bruno Guimarães, Tonali's Newcastle United teammate, is older, more seasoned, and potentially available at a lower price point. It has been reported that Casemiro himself has recommended him to the Old Trafford hierarchy.

Bournemouth's valuation of Alex Scott appears to be rising steadily in the wake of the Anderson and Fernandes transfers establishing a clear benchmark in this summer's market. The 22-year-old is reportedly valued by his club at £80 million ($106.2 million).

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United could also revisit interest in Adam Wharton or Carlos Baleba, both of whom attracted stronger links last summer but have not enjoyed the kind of club campaigns that would generate significant transfer buzz.

At the more affordable end of the spectrum could be Bournemouth and USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams.