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Manchester United are ahead of Arsenal in the pursuit of West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes, according to a new report, with the Gunners unwilling to match his asking price of over £80 million ($107 million).
Fernandes turned heads at West Ham last season despite enduring a second consecutive Premier League relegation, and has since attracted attention from some of Europe's biggest clubs.
Man Utd and Arsenal have been considered the primary contenders for his signature, though Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have also emerged as serious suitors.
According to The Times, it is United who are "increasingly confident" of landing the 21-year-old this summer. They are reported to have moved ahead of Arsenal in the race, with the north London club hesitant to meet the steep price tag attached to West Ham's prized asset.
The Hammers appear to have accepted that Fernandes will depart following their relegation and are aiming to maximize their return, having originally signed the Portugal international for upwards of £40 million. Southampton also hold a 15% sell-on clause from his previous transfer.
United have already secured a deal for Éderson from Atalanta to reinforce a midfield set to lose Casemiro, but the club are targeting Fernandes as their second midfield signing. Should Manuel Ugarte also depart this summer, further reinforcements in that area may be necessary.
While Old Trafford looks like the most probable destination for Fernandes, new Real Madrid boss José Mourinho has reportedly pushed for the Spanish club to pursue his fellow Portuguese international.
Why Do Man Utd Want Fernandes?
There is good reason why the Red Devils are so eager to land Fernandes. The Premier League Young Player of the Season nominee managed to stand out amid the struggles at the London Stadium last season, delivering bright performances during a difficult campaign.
The midfielder is a well-rounded threat, combining creative ability with the drive and intensity to cover ground effectively. He registered seven goal contributions in the Premier League last season and averaged 11 defensive actions per game — a figure only surpassed by Casemiro (12.5) and Ugarte (14.5) during their time in United's colors.
What Manchester's giants are truly investing in, however, is potential. At just 21 with two full Premier League seasons behind him, Fernandes has an exceptionally high ceiling — whether deployed as a box-to-box midfielder or in a more defensive role.
United require youth and dynamism in central midfield next season as they look to balance domestic commitments with Champions League football. Should Fernandes link up with namesake Bruno, Kobbie Mainoo, and Éderson, he would have ample opportunity to make his mark.
Man Utd's Other Midfield Targets
United continue to monitor the midfield market but look set to miss out on Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson. The 23-year-old is valued at approximately £120 million ($160 million) and appears destined for Manchester City, with the Red Devils unable to compete with the financial offer their crosstown rivals are putting forward.
Two other English players feature on Man Utd's radar. Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton has been a long-standing target and could still be available this summer, though he may also carry a hefty price tag. Bournemouth's Alex Scott presents an interesting possibility, but is also being pursued by Arsenal and potentially Liverpool, while Carlos Baleba was once considered United's top midfield priority before a disappointing 2025–26 season with Brighton & Hove Albion diminished his appeal.