Man Utd Close In On £65m Transfer

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, according to Football Insider.

United have been in the market for at least two central midfielders so far this summer, with Ederson the first to arrive at Old Trafford after a £38million deal was struck with Serie A side Atalanta.

The transfer has not yet been confirmed, but will go through once the player's involvement with Brazil at the 2026 World Cup is complete.

There has always been a plan in place for United to make two signings in the central midfield department, however, as Michael Carrick looks to add strength in depth. And with the club willing to listen to offers for Manuel Ugarte too, a third midfielder could even arrive.

Manchester United are making progress on transfer

Fernandes has just suffered his second relegation in a row, with West Ham slipping through the Premier League trapdoor, like Southampton the year before, with Fernandes having made a £38million move from St Mary's to London Stadium last summer.

Analytics United on West Ham's official website described Fernandes as "clearly a special talent" and despite those relegations on his CV, Fernandes is hot property, with Tottenham also in the market to sign the 21-year-old this summer.

But it appears United have stolen a march on the Portuguese star, with Football insider reporting that the Red Devils are "making progress towards a full transfer agreement".

The report also states that United have already agreed personal terms with the player and therefore, once a fee is agreed with the Hammers, a transfer should be concluded reasonably quickly.

All of the midfielders on Manchester United's shortlist this summer come with a hefty price tag, with many likely to cost up to £100million.

West Ham could accept lower fee for Fernandes

West Ham were holding out for a fee in the region of £80million to allow Fernandes to leave, but Football Insider suggest a transfer could be completed for less than that figure. They report that United are "hoping to conclude a deal worth £65million plus add ons".

West Ham made it clear they were looking to sell the 21-year-old for double what they paid for him, with the £38million plus £4million in add-ons taking any potential sale over the £80million mark.

If they can secure a deal worth £65million up front, with their own add-ons taking the total package to the £80million, they may feel like they have got a good deal.

Click here to read article