Manchester United have moved into pole position to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes in a deal that could reach €100m (£84m), according to FootballTransfers. The 21-year-old is the primary target for an INEOS-led midfield overhaul at Old Trafford, with United also reportedly finalising a separate €53m agreement with Atalanta for 26-year-old midfielder Ederson. While United accelerate their recruitment drive, Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven is understood to prefer a move to Liverpool over Manchester United should he depart North London this summer.
Manchester United’s £116m midfield rebuild
Under the direction of Michael Carrick, Manchester United are prioritising a high-energy transition in central midfield. According to The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, United are the most likely domestic destination for Fernandes, who has excelled despite West Ham’s struggles in the bottom half of the table. The reported £84m valuation follows the market precedent set by the transfers of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, reflecting the premium on Premier League-proven ball-winners. Domestic reports indicate this fee could fluctuate if West Ham fail to maintain their top-flight status. Simultaneously, SportItalia claims a deal for Ederson is virtually complete at an initial €48m plus €5m in add-ons, providing a dual-pivot solution to replace the departing Casemiro.
Van de Ven attracts elite European interest
As Manchester United explore defensive reinforcements, Spurs centre-back Micky van de Ven has emerged as a high-value alternative to Lisandro Martinez. However, reports in Spain suggest the 25-year-old holds a personal preference for Liverpool if he leaves Tottenham, who are currently set to demand over £90m for the Dutchman. Van de Ven’s recovery speed and profile have drawn praise from former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, who, speaking to the media recently, labelled him the best centre-back in the Premier League. While Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring his situation, the defender's reported preference for Anfield complicates United’s pursuit. With Tottenham lacking Champions League football and facing a potential rebuild, the valuation of their star assets has become a central narrative of the summer window.
Formal negotiations for Fernandes are expected to intensify once the final Premier League standings and West Ham's top-flight status are confirmed.