Manchester United have moved ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, with the relegated club facing mounting financial pressure to sell their £80m-rated midfielder. Fernandes, who joined West Ham from Southampton for £38m last summer, has also attracted interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but the strongest early moves have come from United as they look to bolster Michael Carrick’s squad after Casemiro’s departure on a free transfer. United have already signed Éderson from Atalanta but are keen to add more midfield quality.
West Ham’s relegation to the Championship has forced a firesale. The club lost £104.2m last year and need to raise more than £100m in transfer sales this summer. Fernandes is one of their biggest assets, and while they hope to receive £80m, they may face pressure to drop that asking price. Arsenal are thought to feel the price is too high, with more confidence emerging around United. However, sources have cautioned that Real Madrid could push for the Portugal international after reappointing José Mourinho as manager, and United will be wary of missing out to their former coach.
“Manchester United lead race for West Ham's £80m-rated Fernandes after relegation forces sale”
Elsewhere, Arsenal are also pursuing other targets. Mikel Arteta’s side are reportedly hatching a plan to buy Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m, while they remain interested in moves for Julian Alvarez and Morgan Rogers. Meanwhile, Besiktas have entered advanced talks with Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard over a £17m (€20m) transfer, with the 31-year-old’s contract expiring next summer.
West Ham are expected to lose a host of top talent after dropping into the Championship, with plenty of interest in Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, who could be in even bigger demand if he impresses for the Netherlands at the World Cup. Taty Castellanos, the Argentinian striker, is an option for Everton as they face likely exits of their own.