West Ham’s transfer position over Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes now speaks volumes after growing interest from Manchester United this summer, according to stunning reports.
Mateus Fernandes has been heavily linked with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are among the clubs showing interest in him.
The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder impressed in his debut season at the Hammers after West Ham signed him from Southampton in 2025.
West Ham are believed to have paid a transfer fee of over £40m for Fernandes, who netted four times and registered four assists in 38 matches for the Hammers.
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West Ham are fearful over Man Utd target Mateus Fernandes after the Hammers were relegated from the Premier League
West Ham have fallen into the Championship after the Hammers were unable to avoid Premier League relegation on the final day of the 2025-26 campaign.
The Hammers now face an uphill battle in keeping hold of Manchester United-linked Mateus Fernandes, who is under contract at the London Stadium until 2030.
United have made the midfield a priority for their summer transfer window and Hammers star Fernandes has been identified as a key target for the Red Devils.
According to The Athletic, unnamed ‘sources’ have claimed that West Ham are ‘desperate’ to keep hold of Fernandes for the 2026-27 Championship campaign.
The news outlet claims that the Hammers’ desperation extends to West Ham’s desire for Fernandes to play a key role in helping the club return to the Premier League.
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What is the price tag that West Ham have set for Mateus Fernandes amid the transfer interest from Man Utd and Arsenal?
West Ham are keen to avoid a loss on Fernandes if they are forced to sell the former Southampton and Sporting CP midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Fernandes’ move to the London Stadium in 2025 saw Southampton include a 15 per cent sell-on clause on the already reported £40m that West Ham paid for him.
The Athletic has reported that West Ham have valued Fernandes at a whopping £80m transfer fee amid the summer interest from United, PSG and Arsenal.
It has been added that the Hammers have not received a formal approach for Fernandes, despite the interest being there in the Portugal international.
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