Mateus Fernandes wage situation at West Ham hands Man Utd boost | OneFootball

Manchester United are among the top clubs interested in West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes

Manchester United are among the host of top clubs interested in signing West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer.

Fernandes was a standout performer for the Hammers as they suffered relegation from the Premier League last term, and looks set to remain in a top-flight division rather than playing in the Championship next season.

The London Stadium club need to facilitate several outgoings due to the financial ramifications of being relegated to the second tier.

Meanwhile, Fernandes is among their most sellable assets as he impressed in the Premier League and still has plenty of time to develop at just 21 years old.

Manchester United learn whether Mateus Fernandes' wages fit into Jim Ratcliffe's budget

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Fernandes notched three goals and four assists in 36 top-flight appearances for West Ham, and would likely manage a greater attacking return if he joined a better side, such as Man United.

More notably, the former Southampton man is tenacious out of possession, while he can affect the tempo of games from a deeper-lying midfield role.

Fernandes registered an assist on the final day of the Premier League season when the Hammers beat Leeds United 3-0, but it wasn't enough to help them avoid relegation to the Championship, as Tottenham Hotspur successfully defeated Everton.

Meanwhile, transfer suitors Man United need more strength in depth, having qualified for the Champions League thanks to new boss Michael Carrick's impressive stewardship during his interim spell.

The Red Devils hadn't qualified for the Champions League since 2023, epitomising the fact that they have fallen below their previous standards in recent years.

Amid the Old Trafford outfit's sometimes poor on-field showings, co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has overseen cost-cutting efforts, which have proven controversial on some occasions.

With that in mind, the Man United faithful may be wondering how viable their club's swoop for Fernandes is this summer.

According to The Guardian, the former Southampton midfielder was paid around £70,000 a week for West Ham in the Premier League, but that was cut by 50 per cent following their relegation to the Championship.

As per the aforementioned report, that means any salary he would receive from the Red Devils would fit into Ratcliffe's desired budget.

However, as revealed by The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell on X, West Ham want an £80million fee for Fernandes' services, and Man United would like that asking price to be reduced.

More favourably for the Red Devils, their director of football, Jason Wilcox, held that position at Southampton when the South Coast club signed the 21-year-old.

Furthermore, Kyle Macaulay, who is now Man United's head of senior scouting, was West Ham's head of recruitment when the Hammers acquired Fernandes.

West Ham will likely have to reduce Mateus Fernandes asking price

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The Hammers want to make as much money from selling Fernandes as possible following their relegation from the Premier League, and the ex-Southampton man appears set to play for a top club next term.

According to The Athletic, PSG are also in the race to sign the one-cap Portugal international, further increasing his chances of playing in the Champions League next season.

Meanwhile, as reported by the Daily Mail, West Ham are expected to sell up to nine players to raise £100m following their relegation, and selling Fernandes for £80m would see them recoup the majority of that money.