Liverpool have identified West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes as a potential summer transfer target, according to reports. The Reds' interest in the 21-year-old Portuguese international has been highlighted by former Anfield favourite Jan Molby, who has urged the club's sporting director Richard Hughes to pursue a deal.
Molby, speaking to Anfield Index, described Fernandes as "exceptional" and claimed the player possesses all the attributes to succeed at the highest level. The former midfielder went as far as to compare Fernandes's style and potential impact to that of Paris Saint-Germain's elite Portuguese duo Vitinha and Joao Neves. "This boy's the real deal," Molby stated, adding his belief that "he ain't staying at West Ham, regardless of what happens."
The reported interest comes as Liverpool manager Arne Slot oversees a squad refresh, with midfield reinforcements understood to be on the agenda alongside other areas. While Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton has been frequently linked with a move to Merseyside, the emergence of Fernandes as an alternative suggests the club is surveying multiple options within the Premier League. A fee in the region of £50 million has been mentioned in connection with Fernandes, who joined West Ham from Sporting CP in 2024.
Fernandes has established himself as a key figure for West Ham this season, earning his first senior caps for Portugal in the process. His performances have also reportedly attracted attention from Manchester United, with pundit Roy Keane recently singling him out for praise. However, sources indicate Liverpool may hold an early advantage, with claims that Hughes has already held a meeting with the player's representatives earlier this month.
West Ham's stance on a potential sale is likely to be heavily influenced by their final Premier League position. According to TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey, the Hammers hierarchy views Fernandes, along with teammates Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen, as integral to their long-term project and are determined to build around them if they retain their top-flight status. A departure would become more probable should the club suffer relegation.
For Liverpool, securing a dynamic, young midfielder would add further depth and competition to a department that already includes Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Harvey Elliott. Fernandes's potential acquisition would signal a continued investment in promising talent as Slot shapes his squad for the future. The coming months will reveal whether Liverpool's interest crystallizes into a formal offer for the highly-rated West Ham star.
