Manchester United’s pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes has been complicated by reports that Jose Mourinho has requested Real Madrid sign the player this summer. The news, reported by Spanish outlet AS, comes as a blow to Michael Carrick’s side who had identified Fernandes as a key target.
Fernandes, 21, enjoyed a strong 2025-26 season with West Ham, becoming a standout performer despite the club’s relegation to the Championship. West Ham are expected to sell Fernandes during the summer transfer window and are seeking a significant profit on the player they signed from Southampton last year. A fee of around €93 million (£80m) is anticipated to be required to secure his signature.
United had already agreed a deal to sign Atalanta’s Ederson as a replacement for Casemiro, who departed following the expiration of his contract. However, Carrick was keen to add at least one further midfielder, with Fernandes among a list of potential targets that also included Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion, Alex Scott of Bournemouth, Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United, and Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid. The club also anticipate sanctioning the sale of Manuel Ugarte.
Arsenal are also reportedly interested in Fernandes, with claims of a potential €90 million bid. However, the intervention of Mourinho adds another layer of complexity to the transfer saga. Mourinho is poised to return to Real Madrid as manager should Florentino Perez win the club’s presidential election. A deal is already in place for the Portuguese manager’s return to the Bernabeu following a successful season with Benfica.
Mourinho is reportedly planning a significant overhaul of the Real Madrid squad, with Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate identified as his first two signings. The club are also expected to exercise their buy-back clause for Como attacker Nico Paz. Fernandes is viewed as a potential addition to freshen up the midfield options, and could potentially replace Eduardo Camavinga, who has been linked with a summer exit. Fernandes made 39 appearances for West Ham last season, scoring five goals and providing four assists.
This development could force Manchester United to accelerate their pursuit of alternative midfield targets as they prepare for the new season.
