Manchester United have submitted an improved contract offer to West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes as they attempt to fend off competition from Tottenham Hotspur, according to Matteo Moretto. The move comes after Tottenham signalled their willingness to meet West Ham’s valuation of the player, escalating a transfer battle for the Portugal international.
West Ham are facing the prospect of losing Fernandes following their relegation from the Premier League, though the club have publicly stated their desire to retain him. It appears increasingly likely, however, that Fernandes is unwilling to play in the Championship. Manchester United initially appeared to be leading the chase, with personal terms not anticipated to be a problem, but negotiations with West Ham proved challenging.
Tottenham have disrupted United’s progress by indicating they are prepared to pay €100 million for Fernandes, a figure Manchester United are currently reluctant to match. This valuation is significantly higher than Fernandes’ Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €28.9 million, prompting questions about whether the fee represents fair value. United are prioritising financial discipline this summer, making a move for Fernandes at that price point difficult.
In response to Tottenham’s offer, Manchester United have held further discussions with Fernandes’ representatives, increasing their proposed contract terms in an effort to convince him to choose Old Trafford. The strategy aims to secure Fernandes’ commitment, potentially pressuring West Ham to lower their asking price if other potential suitors, such as Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain, do not emerge with similar offers. Direct talks with West Ham are planned in the coming days to explore potential compromise.
United are keen to avoid another missed opportunity in the transfer market, having already seen Elliot Anderson join Manchester City. The outcome of these new discussions is expected to become clearer in the next few days, though it remains uncertain whether United will ultimately match Tottenham’s financial commitment.
