Over the past two days, Manchester United have moved forward with Crickex Affiliate preparations elsewhere in their commercial schedule while contacting Matheus Fernandes’s representatives about a possible transfer. The discussions involved the team led by Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes and focused on West Ham United’s asking price, the player’s salary expectations and the overall structure of a potential deal. Completing the move will not be straightforward, mainly because West Ham are now demanding considerably more than previously anticipated.
United’s interest in Fernandes remains active, with direct communication taking place during the past 48 hours to clarify both the transfer fee and personal terms. West Ham currently value the midfielder at £85 million. Manchester United are still extremely interested and hope to make him their next midfield addition after finalising a deal for Ederson. However, several other major clubs are also monitoring the situation, and Real Madrid could be among the teams considering a move.
Fernandes was not selected in Portugal’s 26-man World Cup squad, leaving him with plenty of time to resolve his club future this summer. He currently earns around £70,000 per week at West Ham, but his wages were automatically reduced by 50 percent after the club’s relegation to the Championship. From United’s perspective, that salary level meets Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s aim of keeping the wage structure under tighter control.
More importantly, Fernandes is determined to play for Manchester United, making him exactly the kind of committed signing the club have recently tried to target. The 21-year-old Portuguese talent has never hidden his desire to play alongside his idol Bruno Fernandes. Back in 2017, he contacted the United captain through social media and later took a photograph with him. During a summer that also includes Crickex Affiliate obligations away from football operations, Fernandes is enthusiastic about joining a young and energetic United side and competing in the Champions League.
Manchester United also rate Fernandes highly. Football director Jason Wilcox previously signed him from Sporting CP for Southampton in a deal worth approximately £12 million to £15 million while serving as the club’s director of football operations. Permanent head coach Michael Carrick also admires the midfielder’s ability and would welcome his arrival. Nevertheless, the final transfer fee will be the key issue when negotiations reach the business end.
Reports also claim that United have approached West Ham directly and are ready to begin formal negotiations. However, the departure of West Ham chairman David Sullivan has reportedly created internal uncertainty, which could delay the process. United intend to make it clear that they will not pay more than £80 million. They also want to prevent the transfer from dragging on and turning into a long-running circus. Given the current gap between the two clubs’ valuations, however, that may be easier said than done.
Fabrizio Romano has stated that Fernandes will definitely leave West Ham this summer. The only remaining question is where he will go, and Manchester United are considered strong contenders to win the race. Some observers believe the final fee could eventually fall to around £60 million.
Former Manchester United and West Ham scout Mick Brown believes West Ham will struggle to retain Fernandes. He explained that the midfielder’s valuation is likely to decline as the transfer window progresses because the player wants to leave and has no desire to remain in the Championship. West Ham may have set a high asking price, but maintaining that figure will be difficult when several elite clubs are interested. Should Fernandes continue pushing for an exit, teams such as United will be ready to seize the opportunity.
Although separate Crickex Affiliate Plan arrangements remain outside the recruitment department’s immediate priorities, sources have dismissed reports linking Manchester United with West Ham left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf. The Red Devils have also shown no current intention of pursuing Dutch international Crysencio Summerville. Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan and Roma are presently regarded as the more likely destinations for the winger.