Manchester United have moved Mateus Fernandes to the top of their transfer shortlist after pulling out of the race for Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, whose £130m asking price was deemed excessive. Sky Sports News confirmed the Red Devils are preparing an opening bid for the 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder, who enjoyed a breakout season at West Ham before the club's relegation to the Championship. Fernandes is said to be extremely keen on the move and the prospect of playing alongside compatriot Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford is a major draw.
West Ham are valuing Fernandes at around £80m and are in no rush to sell, though a fee in the region of £70m is considered achievable. INEOS are set to beat Arsenal and Real Madrid to his signature according to multiple sources, with United's director of recruitment Christopher Vivell a strong advocate for the signing. The deal would make Fernandes United's second midfield acquisition of the summer after Atalanta's Ederson Silva.