Man Utd transfer news: Red Devils 'increasingly confident' of beating Arsenal for £80m midfielder signing

Manchester United are reportedly increasing progressively assured of securing a woody for West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes during the summertime transportation window.

The 21-year-old joined the Hammers from Southampton past summertime successful a woody worthy astir £38m, with the Saints retaining a 15 per cent sell-on clause arsenic portion of the agreement.

Fernandes was 1 of West Ham's standout performers during the 2025-26 campaign, contributing 5 goals and 4 assists successful 38 games crossed each competitions. 

However, West Ham's relegation to the Championship has formed uncertainty implicit his future, and the Portuguese midfielder is wide expected to permission the London Stadium this summer.

Man Utd acceptable to triumph the contention for Mateus Fernandes? 

According to The Times, Manchester United person moved up of Arsenal successful the conflict for Fernandes aft making advancement down the scenes.

West Ham are believed to worth the midfielder astatine astir £80m, a fig Arsenal are presently unwilling to meet, perchance handing United a important advantage.

Real Madrid person besides been credited with an interest, with Jose Mourinho reportedly identifying Fernandes arsenic a subordinate susceptible of strengthening his midfield options astatine the Bernabeu.

European champions Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly monitoring the situation too, but United are understood to beryllium progressively optimistic that a woody tin beryllium struck if West Ham determine to currency in.

Man Utd to proceed looking for much midfield addition? 

Brazilian Ederson remains connected people to articulation Man Utd from Atalanta BC contempt a flimsy delay caused by his engagement astatine the 2026 World Cup.

Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson has besides been linked with a determination to Old Trafford, but the Red Devils are reluctant to prosecute a woody aft discovering the standard of the fiscal package required to prise him distant from the City Ground.

The arrivals of Ederson and Fernandes would importantly reshape United's midfield options, though further question cannot beryllium ruled retired if Manuel Ugarte departs.

The Uruguay planetary joined from PSG successful 2024, but aft starting lone 8 Premier League matches past season, questions stay implicit whether helium features successful Michael Carrick's semipermanent plans.