Manchester United Shift Focus to Mateus Fernandes

Manchester United have turned the page on Elliot Anderson. The new name at the top of their summer shortlist is Mateus Fernandes – and the move is already being worked on behind the scenes.

United walk away from Anderson, turn to Fernandes

INEOS have drawn a hard line. Nottingham Forest’s £120–130 million valuation of Anderson has been deemed excessive, and United have no interest in getting dragged into a bidding war.

Tyrone Marshall, Chief Manchester United correspondent for the Manchester Evening News, summed up the stance in a post on X at 7:59am on June 11, noting that United are “unwilling to pay £120million for Elliot Anderson and won’t be drawn into a bidding war,” adding that the club want players who genuinely want to join. In that context, Mateus Fernandes has moved “to the top of the list.”

The logic is clear. Anderson is priced out. Fernandes, relegated with West Ham and hungry for a step up, is attainable – at least in theory.

Romano: Official contact and a bid in the works

Fabrizio Romano has now pushed the story on. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Italian journalist revealed that United are no longer just admirers; they are in “official contact” with the 21-year-old’s representatives and are already preparing a formal offer to West Ham.

“Manchester United already started the conversation with the agent to start preparing a bid to West Ham,” Romano said, stressing that the club are “for sure in conversations with Mateus Fernandes.”

So this is not a casual enquiry. United are positioning themselves for a concrete move.

The race, though, is far from a one-horse contest. Romano underlined that “more clubs” are circling, with Real Madrid among those keeping a close eye on developments. An “interesting race,” he called it. It is shaping up to be exactly that.

A crowded field: Arsenal, PSG, Real Madrid join the chase

TalkSPORT journalist Ben Jacobs has backed up the picture of a busy market around Fernandes. Posting on X at 3:43pm on June 11, he said “movement” is expected on the midfielder’s future this month, confirming that United are already in talks “on the player side.”

Jacobs added that PSG and Arsenal “also hold appreciation” for Fernandes, while Real Madrid are the “latest suitor to make contact.”

West Ham, relegated but under no pressure to sell cheaply, are playing hardball. According to Jacobs, the London club want roughly double what they paid – a package of £38m plus £4m in add-ons – and are still anticipating a sale despite that steep valuation.

Romano went a step further earlier this month, reporting on June 8 that West Ham have fixed Fernandes’ price at £85m after a meeting with his camp. He reiterated that United are in contact with the player’s side, with “more clubs also attentive and keen.”

Fernandes keen on Old Trafford – and a familiar face

From United’s perspective, one factor tilts the scales in their favour: the player’s preference. TEAMtalk reported on May 14 that Fernandes is “extremely keen” on a move to Old Trafford.

There is also a personal pull. Fernandes is understood to relish the prospect of lining up alongside his Portugal international teammate Bruno Fernandes in the United midfield. For a 21-year-old stepping out of a relegated side and into the Champions League spotlight, that kind of on-pitch alliance and dressing-room familiarity can matter.

United, for their part, are already deep in midfield planning. They have an agreement in place with Atalanta for Ederson Silva, and adding Mateus Fernandes to that mix would represent a bold reshaping of the engine room in a single window.

The fee will be heavy. The competition is real. But if United truly want a new core built around ambition and hunger, this is exactly the sort of battle they now have to win.