Manchester United is actively preparing an opening bid for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to Sky Sports News. The 21-year-old has emerged as a priority target for the club as they seek to bolster their midfield options this summer.

West Ham values Fernandes at approximately £80 million and is not rushing to sell him. However, Manchester United is unlikely to meet such a steep price, indicating that both clubs will need to negotiate to reach a compromise. West Ham signed Fernandes for an initial fee of £38 million from Southampton last summer, making the current valuation a significant increase.

Decision-makers at West Ham believe Fernandes showcased his talent as one of the best young players in the Premier League last season, with the potential to reach the level of Declan Rice, who was sold to Arsenal for £105 million in 2023. While West Ham is not dismissing the possibility of Fernandes staying to help the team achieve promotion back to the Premier League, they acknowledge the challenges posed by interest from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

Last season, Fernandes demonstrated his capabilities as one of the league's toughest tacklers, a characteristic noted by Simon Rusk, who previously worked with him at Southampton. Rusk highlighted Fernandes' high tackling stats and his ability to cover significant distance on the pitch, placing him among the top 10 Premier League midfielders for distance covered. Initially viewed as a more advanced player, Fernandes has shown a preference for a deeper role, effectively blending his tenacity and game intelligence to excel as a hybrid option between a No 6 and a No 8.