Man Utd now the ‘first pick’ for coveted PL midfielder, with INEOS plotting official move ‘in a few weeks’ | OneFootball

West Ham’s relegation to the Championship on the final day of the 2025/2026 campaign all but set in stone that Mateus Fernandes will be on the move once again this summer.

He only joined the Irons back in August 2025, signing in a £42 million switch from then-relegated Southampton on a five-year deal.

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Mateus Fernandes: The state of play

Yet, it looks as though Fernandes’ contract will be torn up after less than a year, as he eyes a transfer in the window in order to continue plying his trade in the English top flight.

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According to the iPaper, the 21-year-old has made Manchester United his ‘first pick’ this summer, despite garnering interest from the likes of Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

The report adds that the Red Devils ‘intend to move for Fernandes in the coming weeks’, having identified the youngster as a perfect option to play alongside and provide competition to Kobbie Mainoo.

Fernandes’ league record this season (Transfermarkt)

Why Fernandes might favour United over his other suitors

Making the switch up to Old Trafford would allow Fernandes to share the pitch with his footballing role model and compatriot, Bruno Fernandes.

When asked who he looked up to the most in the game, the Hammers starlet responded: “The biggest one [role model] right now is Bruno [Fernandes] because of the player he already is.”

Fernandes will feel aggrieved to have missed out on a Portugal call-up for the upcoming World Cup, but it’s safe to say he will go on to play an integral role for his nation in the not-so-distant future anyway.

From a transfer perspective, it means the Sporting CP graduate can negotiate and complete any potential move as soon as the window opens, as he won’t be tied down to any international commitments.

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